I was raised up in the Catholic Church and school. I knew about God and Jesus but I did not understand the gospel. I did not give my life up to God. I simply thought that if I acted nicely toward others, God would bless me with a good life and I would go to heaven. Though I did not know God well and had not accepted Jesus into my life, I valued good morals. However, as everyone eventually realizes, it’s impossible to be a good or righteous person.

Fast forward many years, I had enrolled in the Kinesiology program at the University of Waterloo. It was my first time living out of town away from home. It was really different because there was no one telling me to finish my homework or to go to school or to do my laundry. I sought after what society found meaningful as an undergrad student. I attended drinking parties, played games for many hours, and skipped MANY classes. My grades took a dip as a result. During my first year, my brother invited me to attend a bible study group. I was exposed to God’s words but I still chose to live a life that I thought was better. To my surprise, I was able to enroll for my 2nd year in UW. Though I was determined to make a turn around in my studies, I still did poorly at school. At that time, I was looking for my first co-op job. People were starting to get hired and I was still without a job at the end of the study term. I started to find the parties pointless and hard to relate to others. I knew God can fill this emptiness in my heart but I didn’t know how or when. My brother invited me to attend a winter retreat. I began to learn more about God but it was still hard for me to trust that He is sovereign in my life. My anxiety continued to grow when the co-op term started as I was still jobless. I actively applied for any potential job and at the same time I read the Bible and listened to sermons online. I came across Romans 5.

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”

I started to understand that God does things for a reason even when we feel like everything is going downhill. I eventually found a placement at a physiotherapy clinic. I learned things that not many of my peers had a chance to. The experience was truly rewarding. I began to understand that I didn’t need to worry about things in my life but God would work things out. I became more curious and I decided to attend UW CCF and Simply Church during my summer term in Waterloo. I met many brothers and sisters who shared the Gospel and their testimonies with me. From there, I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I continued to grow in Christ with every term being a different season in my faith. I cannot tell you that this journey of faith will always be ups. There are many untold stories where I faced challenges in my faith and felt very weak. But I went back to His promises and reminded myself that God’s power is made perfect in my weakness and that His grace alone is sufficient for me (2 Cor 12:9). He will ultimately satisfy my heart. Nothing in this world can do that. This testimony is a spotlight on Christ, not me, and to show how Christ had saved me. May others see Christ and His love through me for it is no longer I that live but Christ lives in me (Gal 2:20). My purpose in life now is to extend the grace that God has shown me and to share the wonderful news of our Lord and Savior. May God be glorified!

I believe in Jesus because He is my Lord and loving Savior who died so that I may live!