Trippy Padilla

I come from a family of mixed religious backgrounds and embraced the religious practices of both my parents. Since my parents accepted the beliefs and rituals of each other’s religion, I grew up thinking that there is nothing wrong with practicing two religions. I was confused though on whom to pray to. Either way, I made sure that I prayed to at least one of them everyday. I thought that as long as I prayed before going to sleep, my spiritual needs are satisfied.

Due to my parents’ work, we had to move a lot and I was transferred to a total of 13 schools. Since I was constantly transferring schools, I became apathetic towards my classmates and avoided establishing real relationships because I would not be around for long anyway. I resorted to just having acquaintances instead of real friends.

I excelled in every aspect of my academic life and was always in the honor section, which made my parents really proud of me. I grew up as a responsible, independent and goal-oriented individual. My successes however made me become self-centered. I thought I didn’t need anyone to help me with anything and even planned everything that I wanted to happen in my life. I was content, complete and happy on the outside, but I felt empty deep inside.

Amidst my achievements, I was dealing with insecurities and I had no one to talk to about it. I didn’t have best friends to whom I can share it with. Although I maintained a good relationship with my parents, they didn’t know that I had so much bitterness towards them. I blamed them for my unhappiness. If they didn’t keep on transferring me to other schools, I might have developed real friendships.

In first year in college, I was so happy to get into the school that I wanted. But during the second semester of my 1st year, and for the first time in my academic life, I got a failing in Philosophy. It wasn’t really a big deal because our professor was mad at us for some reason and he failed the whole class. But I chose to dwell on the darker side and wallowed in self-pity. I was so devastated that I even attempted to commit suicide. Then, I found out that our family was going through financial crisis. My parents told me that they could no longer send me to my dream school and instead, they have to transfer me yet again. This news tormented me since I placed my security in the plans that I made for my life, I felt as if my world was crashing down on me. Everything was out of my control. But little did I know that God was on His way to rescuing me from my distress.

On July 2005, my Christian aunt signed me up for a CCF retreat. I immediately agreed to attend not because I wanted to know more about God, but because I wanted to get out of our house. When I got there, I was surprised to find out that most of the participants were couples and the topics were about married life. Even if I was bored to death, it was there that I first heard about who Jesus really is and that it was a sin to worship idols. It was only during the Jzone CSI college camp where I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. In Colossians 1:13-14 it says,“For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” I realized that I was a sinner who needed God’s forgiveness. I was also amazed to know that there is a God who really cares for me and loves me enough despite my imperfections. It was finally clear to me that there is no other God but Jesus Christ and He alone deserves my praise.

God used my failures to make me realize that I can’t do everything alone. He taught me that He must be the ruler of my life and that His plans are way better than mine. God humbled my proud heart by showing me my weaknesses and that my life should not be about achievements but about Christ and His will for me. I also learned that I shouldn’t be apathetic towards other people, in Matthew 22: 39 Jesus says, “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

I am now happily serving God through the JZone Project S.C.H.O.O.L Miriam College. Although at first I struggled to obey God because I thought that being active in His ministry will pull down my grades, God assured me that He’ll take care of my concerns and He’ll help me manage my time. Psalm 37:4 says, “Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.” God remained true to His word and ever since I prioritized sharing His word to Miriam College students, I have continuously excelled in my classes.

I now genuinely care for others and I no longer have bitterness towards my parents. I am instead continuously praying for their salvation. I have broken down the wall that I have created around myself and have learned to make friends with other people. I now enjoy great friendships with other believers, and I couldn’t thank God enough for bringing those wonderful friends in my life.

From apathy to compassion; from bitterness to forgiveness; from self-centeredness to Christ-centeredness. God is truly in the business of transforming lives.

I am Trippy Padilla, a Jesus zone.
To the Savior and the lover of my soul Jesus, be all the glory, honor and praise.