A new life with a purpose

For 25 years I have lived a normal life, until the day I hit a big stumbling block. Some might call it "midlife crisis", honestly I do not know if it's even a midlife crisis; it's a mix of midlife and spiritual crisis but more on spiritual. A lot of thought came to my mind while I was in my room, but the question that stood out was "what am I here for?". Somehow I was lost and empty.

Months prior to that day my girlfriend invited me to their church (Church of Christ). I was raised in a Catholic environment so naturally I was closed minded and reluctant when I attended their Sunday service and it came to a point where I did not want to go to their church because I was not accustomed to their ways. I was spiritually blind at that time, following only what was said to me by people (priests, friends, family etc.). I never really bothered opening the bible even though my father gave me one when I was 12. I was content on what I was told and taught. Then came a day when I asked myself "what is the basis for my belief?". Naturally I did some research and found out that the answer to my question was given to me 12 years ago! This led me to buy a book called "The Purpose Driven Life" and after some time decided to attend again the Church of Christ which is purely based on the scripture. As time passed by the void inside me got filled up and I felt I was on the right track.

November 13, 2011 was a memorable day for me. I died and rose again with Christ in my heart, body, mind and soul. "We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life." (Romans 6:4). The stumbling block turned out to be a knock from Jesus Christ, for me to accept Him and fulfill my purpose, which is to serve and obey Him. Being a christian does not mean sunshine and butterflies until the end, it will be filled with a lot of tests but I know I can pass them because I have Christ and His word as my guide. I have read in PDL that this path that I chose will be a lifelong journey, but I know I am not alone. 

 

So for those of you who experienced, is experiencing, will experience this stumbling block, I urge you to consult the bible. It is our "Swiss army knife" or our "one-stop guide" in life.

Thank you Emilaine for inviting me to your church, Gideon and Dean for praying for me back when we were still in high school to open my heart to Jesus.