“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” ~ John 8:36
“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” ~ Colossians 3:1-4
I cannot begin to explain my Victory Weekend experience. It was a very overwhelming and spirit-filled event that I cannot put it into words.
I must admit that I purposely delayed it because I was not ready before but I think that when the Lord is setting you up on things that are bound to happen, it shall come to pass and nothing could intervene it.
It took me 4 years since my first Victory service experience to finally let God work on my life (in full surrender). Since 2012, when I started attending at Victory Makati, I really thought I was already becoming the person God is setting me to be. I really thought that being in church consistently and hearing the Word of God already defines my relationship with Him. Little did I know that He is not done with me yet and is continuously building up my character.
Fast forward to 2015, after many times attending church. I started to encounter problems. Inner personal struggles, relationship issues, even health issues (which thank God he has healed already!) Long story short, I was a complete emotional wreck at that time. I lost interest in waiting for something to happen and even gotten to a point I had to kill the dreams I built for myself because of my frustration and have decided to just live at the moment. I lost interest in looking at what the future holds for me.
I did not tell this to anyone but God because no one can really understand what i’m going through. And in that moment is where God really revealed Himself to me and how He wants me to just trust Him. I was really feeling very hopeless and depressed that time but that’s where the grace of God works! I realized then that the moment you want to be badly restored enough that’s where He picks you up from your misery. That was my Egypt.
Months passed and fast forward again, this time to 2016. I have decided to fully submit to the Lord. Good, bad and worst times of my life (even the little ones!) are always consulted to Him. Looking back, I wouldn’t see my life to be this way and this is how I realized. Moving forward to Victory Weekend, it was really an awestruck experience! I never thought I will also be baptized by the Holy Spirit (experienced the gift of tongues!) It was a 2-day retreat which had a full-day depth sermon on everything to know on Christianity and on Day 2 is the water baptism.
To be honest, til this day, the effect of the Victory Weekend has been the significant game changer in my life. It doesn’t mean I don’t have problems anymore. In fact, it WORSEN! I just learned to properly shift my worries to the One who fights all of my battles. If there’s one thing I really learned is that oftentimes, not all battles are needed to be fought but to be faced. It has been my life’s greatest testimony as of now.
I am slowly regaining the courage to look at my future now and be excited about it because I know God tells me He will bring me to places, allow me to meet new people (maybe my future husband! *fingers crossed!*) , and I will serve Him through ministry! God is truly the one who restores my brokenness and it is true when they say “God will be enough”, because right now, in this very moment of my life, I am complete and at peace. 🙂
Kissed by Fire 