For the first post in my new series SINGLENESS I like to tell you the story of How God Used Ordinary People to Make My Life Extraordinary. I hope you enjoy reading through my testimony.
I grew up in a Catholic family. I still remember how we go to Catholic church near our house every Sunday as a family. Attend the mass, hear the sermon and get the communion. I even entered Sunday school during vacation called Catechism and I feel proud whenever I successfully completed the Simbang Gabi.
But I never really knew God. I know there's something missing in my spiritual life. I always long for something which I don't even know who, what, where, when, why and how.
During my 2nd Year High School at Dr. Arcadio Santos National High School one of my teacher was Mr. Daniel Laza. He was our teacher in Araling Panlipunan (History). I remember how he always start our subject with a prayer then we'll have a few minutes discussion about faith. I still clearly remember when he wrote down the lyrics of his favorite worship song Still by Hillsong United. We sang the song as a class and I was deeply moved I started to cry. Right then I knew I found what's missing in my life ---God.
"Still"
Hide me now
Under Your wings
Cover me
Within Your mighty hand
When the oceans rise and thunders roar
I will soar with you above the storm
Father, You are King over the flood
I will be still and know You are God
Find rest my soul
In Christ alone
Know His power
In quietness and trust
When the oceans rise and thunders roar
I will soar with you above the storm
Father, You are King over the flood
I will be still and know You are God
Mr. Laza will encourage us to join a youth service held few walks away from Arcadio after school. I attended with some of my classmates and I still remember how my first time experience was. As some who grew up going to a Catholic mass it was very different. I was surprised how others were putting their arms up and full of emotion while singing. Sir Laza walk us through a verse in the Bible and preach to us. For the first time I listen in the word of God wholeheartedly. It was as if God was knocking in my heart.
When Junior year came I gradually stopped attending the youth service same as senior year since our class is the mornings shift. Sometimes Sir Laza will check on me and my classmates and we still update him of our status. It was Sir Laza who first introduced me to Christianity.
But I still didn't have that faith. I lack foundation in my spiritual life. I long for someone to mentor me and to teach me the what to do to enrich my faith.
Then I met Ms. Lanie Teves in college. I call Ms. Lanie Teves my spiritual mother. She was my professor first year college and we became really close. Ms. Lanie invited our class to join the freshmen orientation at Victory Church UBelt and it brought back the memory of the youth service I attended during high school. The area was filled with students from different universities around Manila like PUP (my alma mater), FEU, UST, UE, San Beda, and CEU. After the Freshmen Orientation I attended the Youth Service at Victory UBelt. The more I joined these youth service, the more I come to know Jesus. Ms. Lanie then led me to One to One and little did I know that I was already on my way to my Victory Weekend. I got saved on November 21, 2010. Ms. Lanie gave me my very first Bible as a gift to my renewed life.
I must say that the days after my Victory Weekend was the most amazing days of my life as a Christian. Ang tawag nila doon ay honeymoon stage. Grabe yung power nang holy spirit within you. You just feel His presence kahit saan. I became very active sa Victory church doing my One to One to others and really attending events like Ignite (salamat Ms. Lanie sa walang sawang pag sponsor) and even sharing my hosting skills sa mga special occasion. Right then I knew I found what's missing in my life --- Ms. Lanie, the person who really believed in me and encouraged me to believe God.
After the honeymoon stage I struggle a lot in keeping my faith alive. I became busy with school works plus I got active in hosting events like wedding, debut, birthdays, etc. One day Ms. Lanie substituted for one of our professor and she expressed her disappointment to me. She said that I need to know my priorities and though she's happy that my career as a host is blooming...still the lack of faith is saddening. I actually agree with her.
During my junior year I got really out of faith. I cut classes and I let money ruin my life. I had no recollection of my once deep and nurturing relationship with God.
But you know what surprise me the most? It is how firm God's hold in my life is. Kahit anong layo at iwan ang gawin ko lagi siyang may tao or bagay na i-introduce sa akin that will make me remember Him. I realized that once you have encountered the Truth wala nang ayawan.
During my Caramoan Trip I learned that one of the guests, Ben, goes to Victory Alabang. I shared about my desire to find a Victory Group again and asked him if he could find me one. It was such a blessing because after about two weeks someone messaged me asking if I am okey with a 7pm Saturday VG. I eagerly replied Yes. (Met them alst Saturday, September 24 and I learned a lot)
I also met Pia of Piathought.com whom I briefly introduced in this post. She's a born again Christian too and we share our faithful ways to stay strong in our spiritual life. I am glad that our paths crossed because through her the fire inside me ignited again.
At the moment I am starting again in nourishing my spiritual life. Below are the actions I am currently implementing:
- I created a Miracle Morning routine that involves affirmation through the word of God
- I also created Positive Evening routine that involves reading devotional book and Bible study
- I created a Personal Spiritual Life Notebook that resembles the Bullet Journal to collect all my devotionals, my prayers, my Bible study notes, my morning pages etc.
- I pray. I see to it that I communicate with God.
I am a sinner saved by God's grace and humbled by His love. I believe God is alive through the people He let me meet. He never abandon me...and at times when I feel like giving up and turning away, He'll hold me firmly through faithful people and strangers that will soon become big part of my life.
I hope you enjoyed reading this post. See you on the next one.
Hi Izza! So happy that our paths crossed. We will never be perfect but God will always be there. Constant and consistent.
ReplyDeleteI thank Him for your life as well. There's a purpose why we met :) I miss you! See you soon!
Akala ko kung sino. Bakit iba-iba name mo hahaha. I love you P. Alam mo yan. Super thank you nakilala kita.
Delete