Nikko: Covered by God’s Grace
My family influenced me into becoming a Christian. I thought that once I belonged to a Christian group, I was already in good standing with God. However, the Christian lifestyle was not evident in my life.
I had always been the bully since grade school. My pride swelled more when I got into the basketball team of a prestigious high school. I thought to myself, “I’m better than everyone else in the team, no one compares to me.” This attitude made me to forget about my discipline as an athlete. I went to late night parties filled with alcohol, vices and girls, even if I had training the next day. I also got hooked on marijuana at an early age. Eventually, other more disciplined players started surfacing and I slowly became less and less noticed. Academics also was not my priority and my grades suffered. Despite this obvious downward spiral, I still did not bother to change my ways. I became involved in fights, started riots, and enraged other barkadas, which often resulted in my getting beat up. College proved no different as I continued these habits. I dated a lot of girls, but just played around and broke the hearts of most of them until I became the victim of a girl’s game when a girl I really liked turned out to be taken.
My lifestyle, though it was pleasure-seeking, was empty. I desired happiness but the only way I knew how to achieve that was from gratifying my sinful desires. Parties, drugs, alcohol, and women were my idea of fun. I felt like I had no choice but choose sin in order to live a fun life.
In January of 2009, I attended a CCF Bible study with my brother. It felt like any other event and I was excited for the same thing—the end of the service. When it ended, my brother asked me if it was okay if we hung out with his CCF friends, and since I didn’t have another way home, I said yes. When we were there, I saw the way they bonded as Christians—they were fun but there were no drugs or alcohol, and no flirting with women. Oddly, I found myself enjoying, too. Everyone seemed to be sincerely happy, as if they had no problems. I became curious and I knew I wanted more of that kind of fun so I asked my brother if I can go to another Bible study with him. He said yes. When I got there, I had an impression that everyone was holy and praising the Lord like there was no tomorrow. After the message, my brother set up a meeting with a breakout leader. I was hesitant but I met with him anyway. The guy shared to me how God loves me personally and how He wants my life to be complete and filled with never-ending joy. He told me that only through a serious relationship with Jesus could my life be everything God wants it to be. That night, I accepted Jesus’ invitation to start a relationship with Him. Last year, in a retreat, I committed to follow Jesus for the rest of my life.
I have been holding on to Proverbs 3:5-6 which says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” I’ve done so many things in my life that did not regard what the Lord thought of: my partying and drinking habits, and my proud and careless ways. My life was not on a straight path and I had no guide. But looking back, I am thankful of how God protected me from worse consequences of my sins. I was never seriously beaten up or involved in dangerous trouble.
Now that I am following Jesus, I see Him make my paths straight. God has freed me from being bound by my sins and from falling for the same temptations because I know that my Savior will always provide a way out. Romans 6:14 says, “For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.” God is indeed a gracious God. Having Jesus as master of my life enables me to say no to sin.
I am no longer a basketball player but I joyfully use my abilities and gifts in serving God and others. I am now part of a d-group that helps me grow more in my relationship with the Lord. I currently serve in a Bible study group called Thursday Night Devotion and I have recently started serving in Jzone by facilitating in small groups and by God’s grace, being a facilitator in retreats. Please pray for me as I am helping in the Jzone Metanoia Retreat this October 22. And to students who are not yet experiencing the life God intended for you, I encourage you to register for the upcoming Jzone semestral break retreats. Witness how God transforms lives As I experienced God’s power in molding my life with each changing day becoming more and more like Jesus. Indeed with God, nothing is impossible.
I am Nikko Yoro and I thank God that I can now live a life that makes God happy because Jesus has saved me. To God be all the glory!
