I grew up fearing God.

To most Catholics, fearing God is a good trait. The fear of the punishment from above will surely make you want to think twice about doing something unrighteous.

Fear of God was probably the single most underlying trait that bound me into Catholicism. When I was a kid, it was a common threat older people would use to keep me in check. If I misbehave, they say God will punish me. If I move a lot, God will punish me. If I get low grades, God will punish me. It has been a good way to shut me up when I was a kid, because I talk a lot. God does not like talkative kids, as my elementary teacher used to say to me.

I have always thought I knew God. As a child, I was fortunate enough to study in catholic schools from elementary to high school. Back when I was in school, we would have bible exams. We were taught the life of Jesus and His apostles. We would have long quizzes at the end of each week. Studying in a catholic school is very competitive. The school system stresses the value of studying as if your life depends on it. Studying the life of Christ became just another exam for me to pass. Combine it with the competitiveness and pressure of getting near perfect grades - it became too cerebral for me. The fear of getting humiliated when you get a low score is too much for a child like me to bear. Key is to memorize everything and just like any other exam - I would ace it. Perfect score in religion exams - I can memorize verses after verses, I can recite long prayers but totally forget everything as soon as I finish the exam - and all along I thought I knew God. Little that I know, I was slowly drifting away from Him.

I knew God only in my mind by the teachings I memorized when I was still in school. To me, He became just a historical figure like everyone else im my books and I became oblivious to His grace, blessings and sacrifices for all of humankind. I was drifting away from God and missing all the wonderful miracles that He will be giving me along my journey to His righteousness. Unfortunately, all I know was He should be feared -- just because He is God.

"Seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you."

I first truly experienced the greatness of the Lord in one bright sunny September of 2006. I was a reluctant attendee to a church service at the house of my wife's friend. I wasn't really planning on going since I lost my faith in going to church years ago. Back home, church was only an excuse to socialize and show the community how 'religious' people are but after the service they all go to their own sinful ways. I just planned to accompany my wife and that's about it. I said to myself - an hour or two of church service wouldn't hurt since I am pretty sure this will be the first and last time we are going to attend. Fortunately, God has bigger plans for me. That was my day of salvation. God had planned something big for me that specific day and I was even planning on skipping it! Imagine that. God ordained that day for me to be there. It was neither a coincidence nor a mistake. God ordains everything and He prepared something mighty for me and I had to be there.

Listening to the teaching of the pastor was like a breath of fresh air. I thought this one is very different. Never in my whole church-going days that I listened so intently to what the priest/pastor was preaching. The pastor was teaching about God planting a seed in our hearts and will immediately start to grow. It felt like he was speaking straight to my heart and was telling me what my spirit wanted to hear. From that day on, I was hooked. I felt the presence of God in that church and I felt Him trying to reach out and guiding me back to Him just like a lost sheep in the desert. I felt that this was what I have been missing in my life. I may not consciously know it but God knows what was my heart's desire and He fulfilled it. God is so good.

I started opening my heart to the Lord. No more pressure of passing the exams. No more trying to know God just get a high grade. I started to shift knowing God through my mind from experiencing God through my heart. And I tell you brothers and sisters there is nothing more satisfying thing to do than following the righteous walk with the living God.

I am a new Christian, newly reborn in the spirit and full of God's grace.

Everyday for me is an opportunity to praise and thank God for everything that He has given me. I immediately felt like everything has changed to the way life should have always been in the beginning - alongside with God.

"Where your treasure is, is where your heart is" as one of the scriptures say is the best way to describe who I lived my life before I truly knew God. Material things ruled my world. Acquiring something gives me a satisfying feeling that would last me till the next new gadget comes out in the market. The more I have, the more I want. It was a vicious cycle. And it really made a deep impact on me. It was a wake up call to whom should I really serve my life for. I did not realize that this lust for material things is taking my time away from fostering a personal relationship with God - until I read that scripture. It gave me a powerful message about setting priorities in life. It brought so many questions, as well clarifications. It was only then that I realized how those words yield so many truths about the realities of life that we so often ignore. Its the realization about how wicked and cunning the devil is as he tries to trick us to lust for worldly things to keep our focus away from God and even worse - to prevent us to be one and spend time with our Lord and savior. As we might know, things of the world will rot, disintegrate and pass away but God will always remain.

God imparted me the spirit of giving for He knows I was not a gracious giver before I was saved. I believe God replaced my heart with a more giving heart since it has been easier for me to give lately. As God blessed me with so much that it is only right to be a blessing to others. As Jesus said "Love one another as I have loved you".

My journey as a newly-born Christian is just getting started. I know each righteous step will take me closer to the throne of our Lord. As I walk along this long journey, I anticipate there will be a lot of trials and tribulations to further strengthen my faith in Him. Knowing God is my shepherd, I will fear not - for Jesus is my strength and the rock of my salvation.

I fervently oblige you brothers and sisters, that starting today take that first step on your journey to your salvation with God. If a thousand mile journey starts with one small step. I guarantee you this small step would be the biggest step you will ever make in your life.

God is calling us. Come now, let us walk with Him.