At the age of four, I first learned the art of drawing instead of writing my own name. And one of my favorite images was a human figure with two big wings spreading wide on his back. I saw it on TV, in books, at the church and even in my dreams. As a kid, the image was quite vague but unconsciously I did put it on paper. My father saw it one time and told me the image was that of an angel. “Hmm, what is an angel like?” I asked him. He had so many descriptions but my young mind couldn’t decipher much… I was thinking, could it be like the grown-up angel holding a big bowl of holy water, or the baby angel at the pillars and walls of the church?
The issue about angels was a mystery to me until I grew up. Nonetheless, I was so fascinated with it that I practiced my skill in drawing different angles of the face, tunic and wings of the mystifying figure. Little did I know that I would be so attached in finding out the truth behind my favorite “subject.”
The first answer came when my father was assigned by his head office to oversee the construction of a local Catholic church. For a year, my family lived at the convent together with the parish priests. Every night we would help in fixing the things inside the church especially the huge stone image of different saints. One night, I saw a white winged stone figure piercing a dark grotesque figure. It looked as if they were fighting against each other so I ran to my mother and asked. I found out that it was the warrior angel named 'Michael' fighting with a demon.
I realized if there are angels, there are also demons and they are at war somewhere. And what are they fighting for? I knew it was a battle between good and evil but I couldn’t understand the “price” of the winner and the consequence of the loser. Things were getting complicated so I decided to rest for awhile in my “investigation.”
Years passed by, so many things already happened but one day I found a book that stole my attention and rekindled my childhood interest about angels. It was a novel written by Frank Peretti entitled “Piercing the Darkness”. The story revolves around the warrior angels fighting against the territorial demons. The setting was like an action-packed movie that held my breath every time I turn the page. This book actually opened my eyes that there is a “real” battle in this world. It’s not physical but spiritual; it’s not against my body but against my soul.
This comprehension made me to study more about the Bible and what does it says about angels. I found some scriptures that tell they are real and functioning; they are not a myth but already existed a long time ago. And yes they are at war… I also found out that the “price” they are fighting for is my very own soul. When the angel is winning, it means I’m in God’s side but when the demon is winning, it means I’m one of Satan’s accomplish. Weird but it’s true.
So why am I writing this? Honestly I want to share regarding my very first encounter with this angel I am talking about. You may believe it or not but I am writing based on my personal experience.
I was then lying at my hospital bed at around 2 am. The day earlier was an event I will never forget in my entire life. Shortly before the singles’ retreat in
Suddenly a white shadow appeared in front of me, hovering at the edge of the bed just behind my feet. I wrinkled my eyes two to three times as I thought it was just an illusion caused by my tears. But a silhouette figure in a white robe became more evident in seconds! My heart almost stopped that I pulled over the blanket to cover my face. I looked once again in fright but it seemed moving like smoke. I closed my eyes hoping it was gone when I opened it. Could it be real, could it be angels? Am I in the state of hallucination? I counted 1, 2, 3 then I opened my eyes … However they were still there and I realized it wasn’t just one smoky figure but three! I was startled for an instant then I felt a warm sensation coming over my body. I started to cry again but that moment was so sweet and precious. I really felt comforted, relieved and encouraged. When I finished weeping after five minutes or so, I looked up and they were gone.
Despite of the eight inches surgical scar in my right elbow, a decrease in my arm’s range of motion and two platinum screws attached to my bones, I’m still thankful that God allowed me to experience not just His presence but also the presence of His angels. Now I know, my investigation has proven something more than I expected, I’ve experienced it myself.
No comments:
Post a Comment