Honestly, its reputation from a first timer's view point is that its a terrifying activity/challenge. Why? Because if you'll hear or ask some of the people who tried or accepted it don't want to do it again (It has 5 levels, so you have to take it 5 times and has very strict guidelines to follow. You'll know more as you read on). For others, they say its not for them, its not their thing, or they are too busy to follow it. But there will be some that will say to you that it is life changing, and that would be me.
Let me first explain briefly what this OSL or Operation: Solid Lives - Intense Discipleship Program is.
OSL is a system of discipleship that has been refined overtime to take your relationship with God to the next level. Teachings are purely bible based, not only to strengthen your knowledge about it but to refill your spiritual life as well to its fullest.
- It has 5 levels (the intensities of its activities and challenges go with its level).
- Every level takes 4 weeks to be completed.
- All level includes weekly audio teachings and bible verse memorizations and as well as daily bible readings and response journaling.
- The system has strict guidelines of focusing and participating on class, church and midweek gathering attendance.
- Limitation of entertainment media to a minimal time. (Honestly, this was the hardest for me to follow)
- etc...
Although almost all of this will be checked or verified via honesty policy, being accountable to yourself with God is one of the discipline this system teaches. I really can't discuss all of its details here fully but what I would like to share with you here now is my experience on taking it: Its impact on me and how it affected and made me realize some things: And this to become a testimony for Him.
At first, I do not want to take this activity as well because of its reputation on being a life-limiter (you know, limiting simple things you do like watching the television and all) factor for 4 straight weeks which is a veeeeery long time for me. But there came a situation where I resigned from work and time was not an issue for me. The funny thing here was that a pastor from our church just invited me through Facebook on a group chat to join the activity, and I said "Yes" instantly without any hesitation. Well, I did not use the word "Yes" directly but I know he knows what i meant, that I'll be joining. And I quote "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." - Romans 8: 28
And so there I started it, I accepted the OSL challenge..
The first week was hard for me since it was the "putting into your system" mode or coping stage, where all you do is like tell yourself that "Wait, this is not in my to do list in a normal day.". But once you get the hang of it, it'll be easier on the following days and weeks. And the next thing you have to do is to maintain on doing it which will be another factor that is a stumbling block for most.
In doing so of accepting the temporary system challenge: (The OSL training program)
- I have gained more knowledge and I am talking about details here pertaining to stories, situations, perspectives, and stands of the bible on things.
- I also have embedded in me significant attributes of learnings on what really is important and our purpose here on earth.
- And realized how we are very much technologically dependent nowadays, I mean super dependent here. In terms of appreciating the line of a pastor in a sermon that we really are distracted and wasting time doing things for pleasure and etc.. which are merely either for nothing or selfish purposes.
I will not write specific things in here because God wants to talk to you personally. So I am genuinely inviting you to take the challenge as well by turning your focus on Him. Just to be brutally honest here, I went nearly crazy taking this challenge but it was "crazy good". I have learned soooooo much things including "The Truth", and to think that I am just nearly finishing the level 1 stage, what can the other four level teach us.
And so Lord, your ways Thy will be done. God bless!