Ransomed From Kidnappers and From Sin

I got kidnapped at age 14. It shook my whole life. Before that incident I thought life was OK having come from a religious family from Davao. My family would all go to church together and spend time praying to God. But there I was blindfolded for 2 nights and preparing myself to meet God. I really thought my life was over. During those days, kidnapping in Davao was pretty rampant and very few people returned to their families alive. Surprisingly on the 3rd day, I was released and was just so happy to be reunited with my family. There were so many policemen at our house and neighborhood and they said that the ransom was such a big amount that even if we pooled all our resources it would not be enough. However, some family friends and relatives decided to donate some money and somehow helped to reach an amount close to what was demanded.

It was at this time that I learned that my father, doubting that I was still alive, did not agree to pay the ransom. He told the kidnappers that he only worked in a church and had no money, so they might as well kill me if they wanted, but he did not have that amount of money to pay for my release. This angered me and I began to hate my father. I began to rebel in high school and college. I didn’t want to stay at home so I constantly went out with my friends for parties and gimmicks.

When I got a job, I chose the assignment farthest away from my parents so I got assigned to Isabela province. Having my own apartment, a brand new car and money, felt like I was living in paradise. My lifestyle by this time included, cheating, lying, and sexual immorality and it was becoming my normal way of life. Despite all the worldly fun I was having, it felt like there was a big vacuum growing inside me that nothing could fill.

I met a friend in Isabela at a badminton game and was invited to attend worship at CCF Isabela. There I watched a life testimony being shown on video and since I easily cry and didn’t want to be embarrassed in front of my friend, I just told myself that I will never come back. However, I could not stop myself from going back to hear the messages and actually developed a thirst for God’s word. I began to lose interest in the party life and decided quit my job in Isabela and return to Manila.

In October 2005, I joined the “Be one with God” retreat in Subic. There I learned how much God loves me as it says in John 3:16. “For God so loved the world, He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life”. I then got invited to a retreat in Baguio and even if I was already scheduled to go to Boracay that same week, I found myself registering to attend the encounter 1 retreat instead.

There God spoke to me in Revelation 3:20 “behold I stand at the door and knock, if anyone hears My voice and opens the door I will come in to him and eat with him and he with Me”. I cried out to the Lord and I said enough is enough. I surrendered my life to Jesus and gave him full control of my life. It was as if Jesus himself was standing in front of me telling me “my son, my son, I love you and I welcome you back to me”. I felt God’s embrace, comfort, protection and acceptance into God’s family.

Having Jesus come into my life gave me peace. By God’s grace I was able to forgive and understand my father and was able to express my love for my family to them. Being a child of God becomes sweeter as each day passes by. Wishes became prayers even as coincidences or luck became God’s appointments for blessings.

As I was preparing to write my testimony, my office mate of one year, asked me what I was writing and I shared what God has done in my life. My office mate was speechless and what I heard really blessed my heart. He said, “Don’t you know how much you have changed? You have become more prayerful. You no longer use destructive words and comments. You are always calm and at peace and it is all radiant.”

I praise God for the work of the Holy Spirit in my life and even if I am far from perfect, by God’s loving grace He is always there to guide me. I was lost and was found, I was hurt but was comforted, I was wounded but healed.
With each day I walk with Jesus, I look forward to what is ahead because I am confident that my life is in God’s hand. I can honestly say that by God’s grace, I walk by faith and not by sight.

I am Julius Uy. To God be all the glory!