The Road to Damascus 2

Road to Damascus

One day I was arrested for concealing deadly weapons. A month and a half later I was arrested again for robbery highway with added charges of attempting to elude and resist the police. I spent eight months in the city jail and fourteen months in Sampaguita Penal Colony. In the prison, I’ve seen how God has protected me and saved me from troubles but I just ignored those. I knew that He led me to that point where I did not have anyone to lean on, no friends, no family, no one but Him.

The day after I got out, I went back to the bars and got drunk, but I also poured my heart out to God, asking “Why did this happen? My life was a mess. One morning the Lord made me remember the church where I was baptized and decided to go there on Sunday.

On May 5, 1985 was my second Road to Damascus. I went to the Philippine Evangelistic Center in Makati City. God was talking to me on Matthew 12:43-45 preached by Pastor Donie Ompad. The word of God was very clear to me that morning. I knew it was me who he spoke about. Tears were falling down from eyes; I don’t remember what went on in that meeting. All I know is that when the preaching is over, the altar call is given. I rushed to the altar and there I poured my heart to God, everything, my anger, my heartaches. I was so ashamed of the life I had lived. It seemed that I went over sin separately, asking forgiveness. True repentance flowed from my heart. And oh, what happened next! Baptism of the Holy Ghost! The love of God swept through my soul, and I felt the loving arms of Jesus wrap around me and just rock me like a baby. he said “I love you, Oscar, for who you are and what you can be in Me”

What a change God made in my life! He not only cleaned up the outward evidences of sin, but also made a change inside. All the self pity, loneliness, worthlessness and hopelessness were gone. In their place, God gave me joy, happiness, and confidence in Christ. I truly was turned about-face.

I can’t wait to write my third Road to Damascus, and my fourth . . .