This bullied fighter thought he needed to be the toughest man on the block until he surrendered his life and strength to God.
Robert grew up in the streets as an orphan. He figured as long as he had his bike so he could get to places, he would be okay. But a group of boys stole his bike and when he tried to get it back, he was powerless. They beat him badly, He then vowed to never be helpless again. In that moment of weakness dedicated his life to becoming a fighter.
After the day when he was brutally beaten by a group of boys, Robert began to learn and master martial arts, kickboxing, and Karate. He excelled as a fighter. The more he trained, the more he wanted to be tougher, faster, and the strongest.
But the stronger Robert became, the more he realized he felt even emptier on the inside. He recalls that no matter how much he trained, won fights, or meditated, he felt numb and weak. So, Robert started talking to his grandmother about how he felt.
“I have a very, very religious grandma and she always said, “My center is Jesus. I wanted what she had. But I was completely far away from it. I was empty.” He added, “First, I felt ashamed and doubted that it would help to really pray to God like my grandma prayed to God.”
Because Robert thought that her ways were ‘old ways’ and that’s what old people do, he didn’t take her seriously about Jesus. But he began to lose his passion for fighting, for life and he lost any motivation he had.
He realized he was very strong but so very empty. He was sinking into darkness. The fighter had nothing left to lose. He was so broken and filled with so much pain, he began to pray fervently to Jesus.
Then he realized his prayers brought warmth to his spirit like nothing else ever had.
“My heart became fuller and fuller. It was like the sun that I wanted to feel every day and I couldn’t explain it to anyone around me.” It wasn’t what normally helps a person who is sad and upset like taking medications, talking to a therapist,t and he didn’t meditate in Buddhism. Instead, Robert really started talking to Jesus.
In one moment of complete and total surrender, Robert gave his life to Christ and prayed the sinner's prayer. He realized in that moment as the Holy Spirit filled him, he could never save himself but Jesus could!! What an incredible moment.
“I know Jesus is real because I can feel him. I have more light. I have more warmth. More stability, more strength, more confidence, more hope, more love,” he said.
As Robert grew in his faith, he realized a joy continued to grow inside of him that gave him more strength than he ever had when he trained. It was a strength he never could have found in martial arts and meditation. Now he lives a life surrendered to Jesus. He knows he will never be powerless again, nor will he ever be empty again because the living God lives within him.
What an incredible story of faith and strength. He was blessed to have his grandmother’s example because it saved his life. Robert now shares often that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life!
“I know how to live humbly, and I know how to abound. I am accustomed to any and every situation—to being filled and being hungry, to having plenty and having need. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”
Philippians 4:12-13.