In the beginning of 2011, Bitcoins were valued at about $0.40. Jollibee stocks were valued at a little over P1 in 2003 while Ayalaland stocks was only P4 in 2010. In the mid 70s, land in Valle Verde would cost about P900 per sq.m. About 20 or so years ago, you can buy a 1 bedroom condominium in the CBD of Makati for about P3 Million only. The PSE index was less than 1,000 in 1990. Today, those prices has risen exponentially and many of us are wishing we could have taken advantage of those prices. Those prices will never be at those levels again, sad to say.

Whenever we look at historical prices, there is a part of our brain that needs to deal with regrets and missed opportunities. However we would eventually come to a realization that no amount of wishful thinking will bring back those lost opportunities. We, however can look forward to taking action today with the hope that we can still experience growth with our investments or start looking at other opportunities for our future. That is just how life is right?

Last week, my family and I had the privilege of attending the 40^th celebration of our church, Victory at the Mall of Asia Arena. It was overwhelming to see about 30,000 people attending the celebration and worshiping the Lord over 3 sessions. Victory’s birth started in 1984 when a group of very young missionaries from the US went to the Philippines for a 30 day mission. A very young couple, newly married and fresh out of college by the name of Steve and Deborah Murrell responded to a call from the Lord to be left behind to start a movement during one of the most challenging periods of our country’s modern history. What was supposed to be a month long mission became a 20 year stint for Steve and Deborah. Manila became their home for 2 decades and all their children were born and grew up in their adopted land.

Like many movements, Victory had very humble and very challenging beginnings. With very little money (but a lot of passion), they started to reach out to students from the campuses around the University Belt area and held services at a leaky (and probably moldy and humid) basement of the former Tandem Cinema. In those times, students would regularly storm out from their campuses to rally and protest the Marcos government. The economy was at its worst and the future of the nation was at its bleakest. And yet, by the Lord’s grace, Victory grew by leaps and bounds and became what it is today, a spirit empowered, discipleship and mission focused church movement that continues to honor God and make disciples. From being a mission field, Victory became a mission force.

When Steve Murrell, Rice Broocks and other missionaries began using the University Belt as their mission field, they were going through the many campuses of the area. That is the same time I became a student at the University of Santo Tomas (in 1984), one of the major campuses that they were reaching out to. However, during my four year stint at the UST and my very short stint as a professor (in 1990), I never encountered any missionary, no one tried to talk to me about the gospel or even heard that there was a Victory. It took over 20 years before I actually encountered someone who introduced Victory to me. It was in 2007 when my old friend from the late 80s, now going by the name of Chinkee Tan (I knew him back then as Ferdie), who helped me know and accept Jesus in my life and introduce Victory to me. I attended my first church service at Victory Green Hills in December of the same year and Victory became my church, my community and my family. I now serve as a volunteer at Victory Makati and my life has been radically changed for the better.

From time to time, whenever we talk about Victory’s history, a part of me wonders why I did not encounter them during my students years at the UST. As we celebrated Victory’s 40^th year, I often think about how my life would have been had I encountered the Lord when I was 18 and not when I was 40. I always say to myself that I wished I have made Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior much earlier than I did. Maybe, I would have been spared from the many unwise and foolish decisions I made in life. I could have been a better husband and father earlier (I am still work in progress),  I could have been a better worker and a better businessman, I could have been a better influence to others and I could have been a better steward of my finances earlier than I did. I could have met my lifelong covenant brothers earlier and I could have discipled much more men than I have. Many could haves enter my mind from time to time and  that those thoughts have been on my mind of late, especially after seeing the make shift museum of Victory’s 40^th history being displayed at the lobby of the Every Nation Building at BGC.

Just like missed opportunities in investments, life is the same. We deal with it and we go on and make the most with what time we have left. While it is ok to think of the could haves, it is important that we learn to move on and make our own history. I believe that it was God’s plan for me to encounter him when I was 40 and not when I was 18 and I believe it was God’s plan for me to be a part of Victory in 2007 and not in 1984. Ecclesiastes 3:1 tells us that life has different moments—each with its own purpose: “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:”

More than missing out the chance to know the Lord earlier, I am comforted with the truth that I eventually surrendered my life to Him and that I trust His perfect timing over my life. I am comforted that despite my unrighteousness and my unfaithfulness, God sent His one and only son to save me from my sins and welcome me as a son. I am also thankful that God gave me a church like Victory with its Pastors and members who helps me with my walk with Him. While I am a work in progress and I still fail as a believer from time to time, I am comforted that my life will go beyond my earthly limitations and will eventually be able to worship my creator for eternity.

I am excited for the next few years with Victory and although I do not think I still have 40 years to enjoy my walk and Victory, I am dedicated and gratefully looking forward to the years I am to experience as a disciple and a member of God’s family.

Don’t live your life with “what ifs” and “could haves”, get to know your creator and make Jesus your Lord and Savior and begin to truly understand living a life of victory.