When I was young, I always dream to become a priest someday. I never thought that I'll be working in an institution like Central Mindanao University. All I know was that God has a purpose in everything He did in my life.
When I looked back my childhood days, I remembered that I was consistent with what I wanted to be in my life, to be a PRIEST. I went to church every Sunday to attend mass. I even joined praying the Rosary every 6pm in our neighbor adjacent to our house. I grew up with people around me, not primarily my family, teaching good values and building an intimate relationship with God.
Despite of my family's non involvement in church, I was able to know God in the way He placed people in my life to guide and direct my path. I knew at my early age that God was calling me to serve in His kingdom.I was even determined of reaching my dream when I studied at a Catholic school during my high school years. And I was more decided when I joined for the search-in vocation of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, or the Redemptorists Priests, together with my father at Iligan City.At that moment, I felt that the world conspired with my dream knowing that my father accompanied me in this kind of occasion.
After my graduation in high school, I was excited and scared because I was going to study in Cebu, the first stage of my formation. But to my surprised, the news came to me that my parents and the congregation did not agree to some conditions that made them decide to give me one year of observation and that they will come back after a year. I couldn't describe my feelings after hearing the news but I was still hoping that things would turn out better. But it was not the way I thought of it. I never got into the seminary but I was sent to Central Mindanao University to take up Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. It was a course chosen by my family. I never thought of getting this course but It was just that I have no choice when I was not admitted by the congregation.
I never blame the congregation nor my family for what had happened. I was just telling myself that God had a better plans for me. It was just not easy to be in my situation wherein I can't even imagine myself taking a course with least interests. But what kept me going was that my faith in God. I was not a perfect person but an imperfect one with a heart that was able to see and understand life's reality. I've been into many failures in my life but I just never gave up. I somehow had regret of being poor. Perhaps, if my family could only afford with their share to the congregation I would have studied in the seminary.
Little by little, I learned to see Jesus in the new course of my life. Maybe it wasn't with the seminarians but with my classmates who also had their dreams. I joined a youth organization in my community, the "Young Servants of the Lord". There I knew more about God and I understand myself better. I became the youth leader of the organization and then I also became a catechist in our community. My environment wasn't like that of the seminary place but the responsibilities that were given to me during college days were also like that of a seminarian.
God has blessed me and even rewarded me with bountiful blessings in following His will. I was able to finish the degree Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, Cum laude. I then passed my licensure exams in both Registered Electrical Engineer and Registered Master Electrician. Recently, I am serving my Alma mater as college instructor in the College of Engineering.I am also still active member of the Young Servants of the Lord and being appointed as assistant Mindanao Area Youth Servant.
The Lord indeed hasn't fail His dreams for me. I may not have become a priest. But I have at least share the Priestly Mission of Christ. I share the Goodness of the Lord to every students in my class and I am continually serving Him in our community, the Servant Communities. I am grateful to God for allowing me to serve His Kingdom. I am praying that everyone who reads my story will also be inspired to placed their trust in God in reaching for their dreams. God works in mysterious ways and He answers our prayers in His Perfect Time. Just believe that whatever dreams you have for yourself, God will make it happen for you. He knows best! Just trust Him and always pray to Him. To God be the glory!
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