Testimony from Colombia
Monday, December 23, 2002 11:59 AM
This wonderful testimony was sent by Héctor Rodríguez from Colombia.
It is quite recently that I have really come to know the Lord, approximately five years ago, and only because I found out that I was gravely ill, without any human possibility to be cured.
Since then, I started to search for the Lord, and I did not find Him. It was He Who looked for me. He showed Me His Face and that is how we met. From that moment on, He hasn’t failed me and His Love has never left me, although I recognize that I don’t deserve it.
Even though one of my uncles died in my arms, from the same illness, and in spite of the pain this caused me since I loved him very much, I am not afraid, since Jesus has always been there for me, giving me His Mercy, His Strength and His Love.
In this short period of time I have preached to various groups about the Greatness of the Love of God. I have visited the sick, and ironically, many of which had arrived to the final stage of my illness, and some of which have died. However, the Lord has always been with me, speaking with me to give them comfort, fortitude and above all, making them feel loved by Him, teaching them that through pain we resemble more the Lord. It is through pain, that wears out our body, that our soul is fortified and transfigured through a force which is not ours, through full abandonment in the Hands of Our Creator: God.
He fills me with experiences that I would never have imagined, with words that really hold me up with a living hope, in spite of the fact that I may die very soon. That doesn’t matter to me anymore, what matters is that I feel loved by Him and this is what keeps me going.
From a spiritual viewpoint, I have lived terrible experiences, like feeling the burden of death, certainly due to my lack of faith. Today I am a 25 year old man who never tires of thanking the Lord, each day, for so many wonderful things, who wishes to be a witness of His Love, and although I know this beyond my strength, I know that God will help me.
I don’t know where does the Lord wants to take me, but to the extent possible, I let myself go with His Flow of Love, wishing to be able to immerse myself in It. One thing I am sure of: He loves me. Even though my heart wanders, He never leaves me.
All these years I have been in His Arms and I acknowledge Him with all my being. I have a strong desire to love Him, to the extent of my strength. I want Him to be known as God, who is Our Father full of Love, who is willing to carry us in His Heart no matter who we are. And all this because of His Love. Blessed Be the Lord who shows us His Face, in spite of our wretchedness and sins!
I used to cry for my life, for the terror of dying. Today I cry because I feel unable to love Him with all my being. I cry because of the joy that He gives us freely. It sounds crazy, but I suffer and rejoice, at the same time.
It is through trials that God helps us to be better children of His. That is where our strength and love for Him are put to the test. Everything is always for love.
Héctor Rodríguez
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