I neglected those opportunities and failed to nurture the spiritual aspect of my life. For me money was the ultimate satisfaction and the most important key in acquiring all worldly possessions I’ve ever wanted…until…. “I Found The Real Treasure”
By Evelyn Gaugano Mojedo
I am a teacher by profession. I taught for twelve long years in one of the most prestigious religious institution in the Philippines. It was a huge school integrating religious instruction in all areas of learning but benefited me nothing. Spiritually, I was a blind follower and a deaf listener. I mastered and memorized all the prayers and systems of religiosity, joined local pilgrimages and religious rites, attended countless ceremonies, but my understanding of all those things were too shallow. It was rootless, I should say. I was just doing those things because those were part of my job without internalizing its meaning, its goodness and its impact in my life. In the parable of the sower which Jesus taught to His disciples, I considered myself, “A Thorn “in Mark 4:18-19 where it says:
“Now these are the ones sown among thorns, they are the ones who hear the word and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches and the desires of other thing entering in, choke the word and it becomes unfruitful…”
I cited the verse from the Bible because this was exactly what happened to me. I neglected those opportunities and failed to nurture the spiritual aspect of my life. For me money was the ultimate satisfaction and the most important key in acquiring all worldly possessions I’ve ever wanted. Matthew 6:24 says, “No one can serve two master of either he will hate the one and love the other or else he will be loyal to one and despise the other….You cannot serve God and mammon..”
Sad to say, but I gave money the greatest attention and aspiration than God until one tragic incident happened. My youngest son had a serious illness. He was confined at the hospital’s ICU for two weeks. He was only breathing through the machines connected to him. We live in the hospital for two months.
Did I seek God’s help during those stormy days and anguishing moments? Yes I did, I cried out for His help. Did He save my son? Yes He did. He restored my son’s life in exchanged of material possessions we had. Our hospital bill and other related expenses were really tremendous. Our savings were all gone and we don’t have any option but to sell two of our most valuable possessions, our car and our other house. These made me realize how material things perished so quickly. For some unexpected circumstances, everything will be gone in just one twist. Did I turn to God after my son had survived? No, I did not. In my mind it was my money that restored my son’s life for without money who will treat and give him medication for free? No one. Instead of turning to God and thank Him, I turned back. I felt so disappointed. I said, if there is an all loving and merciful God, why did He afflicted me with such fiery trials and sufferings? There were so many robbers, murderers, evildoers and all kinds of wicked people around, why not punish them, why me? Why my son? Why my family? Well life must go one. I worked very hard. I depended on my own strength. I became more slave of money. I was not contented with my earnings. I wanted more, the reason why I resigned from my job as a teacher and put up my own business. I put up a kindergarten learning center. After six years of operation, I got tired and again the bottom line was discontentment. I was not contented. I wanted more. I left my learning center and worked in Hong Kong. It was my first time working away from my family. I suffered a deep emotional pain and homesickness. I sacrificed a lot but what prevailed was my goal of earning much money. Praying to God and asking for His guidance and protection was not my habit. I only pray whenever I remember to doing so, and I only got to church whenever I want to. Many of my friends invited me to their churches. Well, I went with them but I find their way of worship so unnatural, weird and overacting. I was not convinced at all. You see how I neglected God during those days.
Perhaps you will understand why I worked hard for money. I have a valid reason indeed. I was only 9-years old when I worked and lived in my godmother’s house because of poverty. We were 9 siblings and our parent’s income as farmers can’t meet our needs. It was already during my high school years when I went back home because my father got a good income as a seaman. But when I was in college he was one of those crew missing when their vessel sank and never been found until now. It was a tragedy that leads our family into deep sorrow and distress. I applied as a working student and was assigned as a helper in the laboratory of medical and nursing students in the university where I was taking up my BSEED course. I successfully finished my course and obtained my diploma. I was fortunate I landed a job in a religious college I mentioned above. I was also able to help my younger brother obtained his degree in BS Accountancy.
These sorrowful experiences in my life are the valid reasons why I worked hard for money. I promised myself I won’t let my children the sufferings I’ve passed through. I want to give them the best.
It was August of 2009 when my employers migrated here in Taiwan and they brought me along with them. Even though my working condition here is difficult than in Hong Kong, still I was able to adjust myself. Everything was going well when I was distraught by something I did not expect to happen. My eldest son, about to graduate in his BS Nursing course, had a pre-marital affair with his girlfriend and they were about to have a baby. I was shocked. I felt all the negative feelings inside me. I kept my real feelings to my employer and my friends. I pretended I was okay, but the truth was, I was suffering emotionally. I sensed that God was not favorable to me because I was not favorable with Him either. I always neglect Him and now I thought He neglected me too. To amuse myself, I devoted my time reading all kinds of magazines my friends gave me. I kept silent. Sometimes I did not even call my son and converse with him. I just said if his life is destroyed, let it be. I did not comment at first. Amidst my sorrow and deep emotional pain, something happened wherein I felt comfort from our God. My friend gave me something small but had a terrible impact in my new life now, the Kaibigan magazine.
My brothers and sisters out there, I submit to you that this small but terrible thing I am referring to gave me the BIGGEST LEAP towards knowing God in the most loving and intimate way. My perception of God as a lounging God was all wrong. God was a very busy God looking down to us and performing things all for our comfort and satisfaction. When I started taking the free Bible Study Correspondence Course (BSCC) that was the start of my step by step learning of God’s word where I learned the most effective formula for my spiritual nourishment. I realized how great God’s love for me. I kept turning and displeasing Him, but He never forsakes me. He was a God of comfort and not of discomfort. Now I understood why He gave me trials and sufferings. According to Dennis De Haan, one of my favorite authors of “Our Daily Bread,” Let us not think strange when trouble comes, for God is using that as a way to commit ourselves to Him. The Holy Bible is my spiritual food now. It’s the ultimate satisfaction, not money, not material possessions and not a good fortune either for they were just temporary. They all perished and they lead us spiritually astray. I’m proud to say I am with our Lord Jesus Christ now and not with mammon anymore.
Matthew 6:19-20 says, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.” As proof of this, I turned down my Sunday overtime work so I could attend the worship service in the church at Tienmu. I learned to accept all adversities. I understood and forgave my son for what he did, and I often communicate with him now.
To those who are in doubt and staggering in their spiritual journey, I encourage you to join BSCC. It’s free, it’s just like you are having fun finding a treasure. Rich treasures of God’s truth, love, wisdom and salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. Come to Jesus now and be in Him.
In John 10:9 Jesus said; “I am the door. If anyone enters by m, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.”
Let us not overuse our physical strength and energy. Even though we work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, if God is not with us, we will never be satisfied.
King Solomon said in Ecclesiastes 2:11, “Then I looked on all the works that my hands had done and on the labor in which I had toiled and indeed all was vanity and grasping for the wind, there was no profit under the sun.” When we turn our Bible to Matthew 6:33, it says: “But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added to you…”
These are amazing truths and very clear proofs that leaning from our own strength and understanding without putting God on top of our priorities will definitely lead us to disappointments. We are all prodigal children of God, but if we repent, go back to Him, love Him and trust Him, He will welcome us with a hug and a kiss to everlasting life. Take it from me. After a long long journey in the wilderness, I finally found strong refuge under God’s comforting Words. So, what are you waiting for kaibigan? Our Lord Jesus loves you. Come to Him now. Who knows? It’s possible that in the coming issues of this magazine, you maybe the one sharing your testimony on how God amazingly renew your life.
Before I end, I would like to leave these wonderful passages from the book of Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your hearts and lean not on your understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.”
I thank and praise you, Father God Almighty. Into your hands I commit myself, my husband Boy, and our children Eldrin, Erick, Ellaine, and Evan (and Eldrin’s family to come) God bless everyone!!
Source: Kaibigan Magazine January/February 2011 Edition
