(testimony I wrote for Tigib)
About six months ago, I was thinking about going back to school. I was considering taking up a Masteral degree in BU if ever I would have the capacity to make ends meet. Financial problems do not end. As I get hold of the “weighing scales” of my different options, I ended up asking myself, “what for?” Will I do it to trounce boredom? Or to awaken my mind that is gradually shattered by the rusting of memory? Or maybe, I have this hidden agenda – to be someone whom my family would be proud of. I had that foolish notion to desire achieving more until I was reminded, it’s not about me, it’s about Him.
GRADUATE SCHOOL OR BIBLE SCHOOL?
Good thing, the moment I was thinking about entering the graduate school, I got news about the opening of classes in BCCL. The moment I got the information, I had this
pound in my heart, “this is a chance I should not miss”. Why?
For about two years in a walk with Jesus, I have encountered many questions, and no matter how hard I try to dig out information from the internet and books, I always find myself discontented with the answers I find. I have little knowledge about God compared with others. But you know what? I always have this desire to know Him more. I am sure He is not just that invisible somebody. There’s something awesome about Him that I should seek. And I was thinking that entering BCCL will somehow help me with this.
I wanted to enroll; however, I was put into test before finally deciding to pursue bible school. I lost a job few months ago and my laptop was stolen last March. I was having troubles with finances since I had to produce enough amount at once for the new laptop, which is badly needed for the job I have. It was tough. But God provides. Every day is just a test of faith.
Casting the Burdens Upon Him
I am a freelancer. The time when I was about to decide whether to enroll or not, I had a couple of clients already. Just imagine how ironic the circumstance was. That time was the first month where I will be given the chance to earn an amount that would be twice the cost of my new laptop. To think, from that month onwards, I will have a monthly salary of a junior engineer in Saudi. That is more than what is needed to bring back what was lost. Nonetheless, that job requires me to at least work for 12 hours a day! Bible school requires 3 hours, which is very significant in the freelance job I have. Three hours will cost dollars already. Reckoning all these, I had to decide: will I enroll or not?
One night, I was really burdened. I was hoping that all these rare chances can be grabbed at the same time. But I had to choose - Bible school or the high-paying job? I was crying to God. I was longing for His plan not mine. I was trying to listen to Him. A question suddenly pops out of my mind, “Does your work cause you to be far from God? If so, better end it asap.” After praying to Him, at 1 am, I decided to talk to my client and I resigned. It seemed to be a heart-breaking decision but I realized about an hour after my resignation, I’m free! I felt unloaded. I felt like I was a rubber band that has gone under pressure and now freely moving again.
First Day
I then enrolled at BCCL last July. The programs are subsidized. As far as I can remember, one module is equivalent to the cost of just one unit taken in the graduate school. My salary that time is just enough to make ends meet again. Financially, it was the right decision. But let me tell you, it’s more than that.
As I took the way to the bible school with my brothers and sisters in Christ, I was praying to God, “Lord I did the right decision. Please help me to know You more. I’m eager to learn more about You.” Later, we stepped inside BCCL and as all of us sat and experience the thrill behind our first day of class, the first words that our teacher Mayette wrote on the board have caused blood rushing through my veins. It would sound exaggerated but I want to overstate it further- the hairs at my nape stood to their ends. Our teacher wrote: Knowing God and Knowing about God. That was exactly what I was praying for! It is the very reason why I was there – to know God more, realizing that I only recognize little things about Him. I believe, God has started answering my prayer from that moment on.
What He Is Teaching Me
For the past three months of experiencing God and learning His ways of leadership, I have encountered many changes in life already. For that short period of time, I have learned more about how important it is to undergo the maturing process.
From the last three modules, God has let me understand the business that we are having together. Guess what, the status of my job is great. God has provided the clients that will not demand more time, making it easy for me to deal with the schedule for the ministry and bible school. What a great Boss I have. He is faithful. The kind of partnership we have is just amazing. It has been there for a long time and He was the one who pursued and invited me to join Him. It is the grandest invitation ever.
Such invitation I have received from God has led me to the eagerness to “expand the market”. I also desired to see my family walking with me as we follow God. However, I know, God has the perfect time for that. I have a lot of “rejected proposals” but God gives me the strength to remain unshaken and move forward.
Along the way, God has taught me a lot about my past, present, and future. I am pressing on towards the goal while pushing the obstructions out of the way. He has let me understand why my mom had to pass away, why our family should go through the hardest trials, and why should I see myself to be emotionally battered because of the problems surrounding me. He has let me feel that I am consoled in His arms in every problem. Through Him, I learned that it feels great to praise Him even in the storm. As I learned more through His word, it feels like each stone is added up for the edification of my whole being. God completes and edifies me.
He considers me as His ambassador, His friend, and His child. He has also given me and everyone the calling to lead His people. He knows my strengths and understands where I can use them. He can point out my weaknesses and use them to proclaim how perfect His power is. I am His servant. He is my master.
If I will be put into the same situation, where I will choose between the same options, Over and over again, I will surely choose bible school over any high-paying job or graduate school. God is more important than anything else.
True Achievement
Knowing all of these, I definitely believe that the greatest achievement in life is to see God smile at the end of the day and not the number of diplomas I would get. For the rest of the lessons that He will provide to me through BCCL, I believe, God will continuously answer my prayer, which is to know Him better.
Praise and honor to our God!
