Looking back on my journey, I’m overwhelmed with gratitude for how the Lord has faithfully pursued me, shaping my walk with Him in profound ways.
The Invitation
I was a scrawny 8 or 10 year-old in Natividad Apartments, Quezon City when He sent a new neighbor to share the Gospel of Jesus with me.
I can’t recall how she exactly looks like but by God’s grace I remember her name, Tita Elen Inguengan, and the kindness in her eyes.
For many Sundays, with my Mama’s permission, I went with Tita Elen to a church in Quiapo, Manila. It was called Bond Servants of Christ Christian Fellowship, with services held in Gallego Building.
Kids were in a separate room but I didn’t want to play with them. They they were too noisy. I wanted to listen and learn more about Jesus so I told Tita Elen about it. She graciously let me sit beside her and other grown-ups in the big hall.
Every Sunday, after the message, the grown-ups would break out into small groups and talk about the Bible. I remember one remarkable grown-up whose Bible was filled with pages of colorful highlights. Some underlined their Bibles with a pen while others only encircled the verse numbers. As a young girl, I desired to have my own Bible like the grown-ups did.
One particular Sunday I would never forget was when I went to the front of the congregation in response to an altar call. The pastor and several other grown-ups stood around me and laid their hands above my head. I prayed with them and asked Jesus to be my LORD and Savior.
You know the feeling of happiness that puts a spring to your step and gives you a lingering smile? After praying, I walked the aisle and back to my seat with that kind of happiness and so much more. I know that now as a one-of-a-kind kilig, a certain joy like no other having met the Lover of my soul.
The Bible
After some time, the church moved to Bayview Hotel. My Mama and I, along with my then little sister Joy, attended services there. One Christmas celebration, we received a red NIV Bible as a gift.
I read the Bible on my own and the very first verse I read on it was Isaiah 41:10 –
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 NIV
A Typo Error
Another verse that I first learned thru that Bible was Galatians 5:22-23. I thought it had a typo error — “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
That time, I already believed the Bible can’t be wrong but I wondered – how come it said ‘fruit,’ not ‘fruits’? I had that question in my mind for a very long time. It was only about a little over a decade ago when I understood and became fully convinced that it wasn’t a typo error, that it was intentional.
I don’t know what happened to the church that used to meet in Gallego. Tita Elen, if you’re on FB and you’re reading this, please know that I am suuuuper grateful that you shared Jesus with me back then in Novaliches. Now that I am a parent, I cannot imagine a life without Him.
A Milestone Marker
There were times when, as a young adult, I asked Jesus to let me walk on my own. He let me but He never left.
During those years when I stubbornly chose to walk in the darkness of self-sufficiency and sin, my Jesus, my soul’s First Love, continued to love me even from a distance.
I remember back in 2000, when my relationship with Jesus was on a standstill, somebody asked me something like, “Who do you think will win?”
Prior to being asked that impromptu question, I was backstage with other ladies, holding hands in prayer.
I believe today, as much as I believed back then, that we do our best, give our best, when something matters to us. I couldn’t recall my answer in verbatim but I said something like, “The winner is the one whose best the judges see as the best of the best.”
I sashayed and won the title. On top of the accolades, however, I was awarded with a bejeweled crown that I cannot keep.
Several years after that, I made a U-turn to Jesus and got baptized in a singles’ retreat. As my relationship with my First Love was restored, I transitioned to knowing Him more intimately.
My desire to read the Bible was rekindled. Gradually, God helped me understand that the borrowed crown He allowed to be on my head was not a stepping stone but a milestone marker.
It marked my way back Home.
“Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.” James 1:12 BSB
“Everyone who competes in the games trains with strict discipline. They do it for a crown that is perishable, but we do it for a crown that is imperishable.” 1 Corinthians 9:25 BSB
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but to all who crave His appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7-8 BSB
“And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.” 1 Peter 5:4 BSB
I’ve been walking with Jesus for more than 30 years now yet my journey is far from over.
Sometimes I sashay into my day as if nothing or nobody can stop me. Most of the time, however, I shuffle my feet from one task to the next, fighting through derailing thoughts. And all the while, I prioritize peace with my Jesus, finding comfort in His hugs like a little child.
“Christ came and preached peace to you non-Jews who were far away from God. And he preached peace to those Jews who were near to God. Yes, through Christ we all have the right to come to the Father in one Spirit.” Ephesians 2:17-18 ICB
ancore! 