God inspired in my heart to write my life journey with Christ and post in a Blog especially in the midst of Financial Crisis. I am sure God has a plan and a purpose to Bless someone. This is my first ever writing in a Blog. This is not fictitious nor any figment of my own imagination. Its my real life testimony as how the Lord worked in my life. The Blog is big but once you read it you will be greatly Blessed. I am a simple ordinary person just like you. If God could perform such mighty things in my life then how much more he will do it for you as you are embedded in his palms of his hand. So read it and be Blessed.
My Early Days :
To Start, I am Yakub Albert. I am 28 yrs old currently located in the city of London. People say I am Highly Blessed and settled in Life but little did people know where I am coming from and what is my life is all about. I was born and raised in Bangalore. I am the last son in my entire family and my family is a working class . I have one elder brother and 2 elder sisters. I accepted the Lord when I was at the age of 12 in Sunday school. Right from my young age I loved the Lord very much and I was greatly involved in cell groups and church activities. I was good at my studies. But after school all my friends took science but I took commerce as I knew very well it will be tough on my parents to make me study Engineer or Medical. We were not financially sound during that time. In my prayers I use to wonder what will I be doing if I take commerce and all that I had in my mind is to finish Bcom and just get into any work to support myself and my family. Initially at my young age I had a desire that I wanted to join a local Bank in Bangalore but people discouraged me saying I am not the right candidate for a Bank as I should pay lots of money to take the clerk exams. So I lost the interest of joining a Bank. Eventually I forgot and lost my dream but God remembered my hearts desire.
April 2002, I was disturbed in my prayer life as fear was gripping day by day in my heart as to what will I be doing once I finish my final year exams. Exactly during that time my Brother and my Sister both got married in short span of time and my family was running on credit. My faith in God during that time was - Trust, Wait and Watch as how the Lord will work on my behalf. My all time favourite Sunday school scripture - Proverbs 3:5-6 reads, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." and also
John 15:5 '' for without God I cant do nothing'' is the foundation verse of my faith and all I knew unless God performs things in my Life, Things will never happen on my behalf.
Divine Intervention of God
Last week of April 2002, Around 12 PM at night, I didn't get sleep and So I was switching channels on TV in our Living room. To my surprise I was stuck watching '' This is your Day '' programme by Benny hinn and the guest speaker of that Day in the programme was Mike Murdock who was teaching on the principle of sowing and reaping in the Bible. He said as a young man his life was transformed when he obeyed a simple instruction from God to sow $ 58 into Gods ministry and he said his life was not the same after sowing that seed. Something stirred in my spirit and I said to myself that I am not going to be just a spectator watching and passing life but rather even I am wanted to obey God and his ways of doing things. In other words I want to be a Participator than a Spectator. I knew for sure that '' God is no respector of any person''. Exactly that week there was a revival meeting conducted in our church and Pastor Ernest George of Gardencity Church AG announced that he will be taking a special missionary offering for the missionaries in North Karnataka.
Deep in my spirit something was telling me that it was my time to sow the seed in the Kingdom of God and I really wanted to do something different which I haven't done it before. If God could bless a person back in US surely he can do it for me as well. And that was my faith. I believe its not about the money but its all about obeying Gods Instruction. To be Honest I never had any money not even Rs 5 of my own to sow during that time. But I made my mind that I will start saving Rs 58 and I wanted to sow as a seed offering in that Missionary Offering. I very well knew it was a clear instruction for me from God and I wanted to obey it.Yes the amount was very small in the eyes of people but it was Big to me as God only knew my situation and my position during that time. One week I took time to save that money and atlast I achieved saving Rs 58. I will never ever forget as long as I live. It was Rs 50 note, Rs 5 note, Re 2 coin and Re 1 coin and I kept looking at them many times as it was very precious to me and that picture still remains in my mind.
Wednesday evening I was sitting in the middle row of the church and I could see so many Blessed people around me singing and praising God. It was really a nice sight to see such Blessed people around me. I was looking at them and then I kept looking at my offering Rs 58. At last the offering Bag was passed from person to person and I was hiding my amount as it was very little in the eyes of people but it was very Big and precious to me. When I dropped my offering in that Bag, something started to happen in me. There was an unspeakable Joy in my spirit stating I have obeyed the Lords instruction and I am sure many of you had the similar experience in your life when you obeyed the Lords voice. Little did I know that evening was the day when I entered into the Divine plan of God in my life.
First week of May 2002, I finished my final year Bcom exam and Immediately I joined VBS at church as I was one among the Sunday school teacher. Last day of the VBS, everyone received a gift as a compliment including the teachers and to my surprise my gift was a ''Wallet''. When I looked at it and I was laughing at myself as it didn't make any sense for me to carry a wallet because I had no money. My Aunt Ursula walked up to me and wanted to see my Gift and I told her the gift does'nt suits me and I wanted her to have it. With smile on her face, she looked at me and she said to me our God is great to do above what we realize and think. So she opened her purse, took Rs 100 and she put that money in that new wallet. She blessed it and gave it to me. Immediately I remembered my seed offering and I thought myself may be God has started working on my behalf.
Last week of May 2002, I saw an advertisement in Times Paper where Mphasis Pvt Limited was recruiting people for an new financial institution and they were inviting candidates in all across fields. I wanted to give a try. I didn't even know where the company was located but the Auto driver was fortunate enough to reckon company address. All I was carrying with me was my simple CV, The Box which my Sister Sheeba gifted me when I was 8 yrs old and a book on '' Confidence'' written by Creflo Dollar and I have this Plastic Bag even now in my cupboard as a mark of Remembrance from where God has lifted me. The Auto driver dropped me near the gate of the company. The building was huge and I was quite anxious to get inside the building. I walked upto the receptionist and I told her that I am still not a graduate as I just finished my final year exams in Bcom. She was ok with it but she said in order to get inside the building for the Interview I should have passed an telephone Interview. So she just dialled a number with her phone and she gave to me to answer the person on the other side. And to my surprise it was a telephone interview. Honestly I was blabbering something. But I was good enough to pass that Interview.
During that time I had a problem of inferiority complex which I had it from my young age and I never use to speak boldly with the people. Again to my surprise my first round of interview was ''Group discussion'' and to be honest I never participated in a discussion before and it was completely new to me. I tried my best to talk however there were so many good talkers than me. To cut short, the people who spoke a lot was rejected and I got selected to the next round. Then the next round was ''Aptitude test '' with lots of Mathematical calculation. I somehow passed it. Then the Next round was ''Computing test ''and again I was selected and then the next one was the ''Personal Interview'' and I was selected and I was so happy as I was passing one by one. Then all of a sudden a guy who was sitting next to me said not to be happy as I will be filtered in the last round of Interview with the Director of the company. While he was still speaking then came a Big Lady out of a room and requested me to get in for the Interview.She asked loads of questions about sales and commerce and so on.
On that day, the Interview started 9am in the morning and It went till 6pm and atlast they asked me to sit in a room. A pretty lady came inside the room where I was sitting with a cover. She smiled at me and shook my hand and she said congrats you have been appointed for Capital One US Bank. That's it. I was speechless and I just looked at her and said ' Thank you''. Many people came that day but I was the first one to be selected. I was on the 14th Floor and I didn't wanted to take the lift. So I kept walking the stairs. I opened the cover and I saw my take home Salary per month was Rs 6,600 and that was a big amount to me. As I was starring at that amount. tears came gushing out of my eyes and I couldn't control it. All I said was '' Thank you Lord for remembering me'' and that's the beginning of my first harvest of Rs 58 seed.
With lots excitement and enthusiasm I joined Capital one Bank. Initially it was tough as I was not able to communicate properly. But God was with me and things were changing on my behalf. Within 4 months I received an appreciation certificate from my client regarding my quality of Job. On the 6th month I was promoted from Trainee Associate to Customer service executive. 10 months again I was promoted to Sr Customer service executive. Again after 8 months I was promoted to Nesting Customer service executive.By then I received 36 appreciation certificates from Clients for my quality of Job. When I moved from one position to another my packages kept increasing. One thing I always made sure I will not touch the seed offering which belonged to God especially my ''Tithes''. From then till now, I have developed a Habit whenever I get my Salary, I honour God first with my offering and then I think of my needs and rest of all my commitments.God words are so powerful. For the glory of God, As I honoured him in my substance till date I haven't stretched my hand to anyone for any need of money in India nor in London. God has become the ultimate source of my existance.He provides all my needs according to his riches and glory as per his words in the Bible. One thing I always keep reminding myself as from where God picked me up and this makes me to be humble at all times.
My career in Capital one was excellent and as it was a Retail Banking sector, the role what I was doing was monotonous and I wanted to have a change in Banking line where I can learn something new. God put a desire in my heart and a keen interest towards Investment Banking in Stock Market. My God who put the desire in my heart was working behind the scene to lift me up to the next dimension in my career.
Dec 2005 I received an offer from Deutsche Bank in Investment Banking sector as a Process Manager. This was the major breakthrough in my life. It was the most controversial things to happen as many questioned as how a young guy became a Process Manager to one of the world's biggest bank. But people did'nt realise the hand of God was upon my life and God was at work. There was a time at Deustche where I was handling a team of 25 members. Most of them elder to me by age and even had vast experience than me. Had some initial challenges but God was with me and he prospered me in all I did at Deustche Bank. Months went by and God lifted me at Deustche and I became one of the best managers at work.
London experience: Dec 2007
God put a desire in my heart to move abroad and it was my dream place from a childhood '' London''. I knew God was preparing me for a next dimension in my career. God gave me a fantastic close buddy, friend and I always tell more than a Brother at Deustche by name Harsha. He was always their for me and he was a great Mentor. Harsha encouraged me a lot and he played a significant role in helping me to move abroad. Harsha received an internal transfer from Deutsche Bank India and he moved to Deutsche Bank London. Within a month he moved to London, the incident happened that shook the world '' Credit Crunch and Recession'' and the worst affected area was the Banks all around the Globe. But still I had a deep faith in my heart that I wanted to move abroad because it was God who put the desire in my heart. My Reporting Manager at Deutsche Bank India liked me very much and he didn't wanted me to move out of the Management Team. He tried his best to retain me at Deutsche Bank India but I was very much determined to move to London. The last thing my manager did for me was to put a stop on helping me on my Internal Transfer to Deutsche Bank London. It hurt me very much because I worked very hard and gave my best at work but in return they did an unexpected act which I didn't expect. Nevertheless they never knew my confident and hope was on God and never on any Bank.
There was a new boldness that came within me which resulted me resigning my Job at Deustche Bank and wanted to move to London without a Job. Many close friends of mine was shocked and even made ridicule statement that I was so foolish enough to quit my Job and moving to London especially when the recession was at its peak. During that time I never understood what was going around me but all I knew was God was with me and he wanted me to move to London. The Lord of the covenant who Blessed me with Rs 58 was still at work to provide all my needs and this was my unshakable faith in God.
09th May 2008.
I stepped into London, the world's expensive place and myself standing in that land with absolute no Job at hand. God is my witness I knew only one person in London that’s my friend Harsha and apart from him, I knew no one. I was little excited to see London and its beauty as it was my childhood dream place to visit. I just relaxed one week at home and then I started posting my resume in all Job sites and even visited some of the Banking consultants in London. The things I saw and heard was very discouraging as I wasn't getting much response from any Job sites. I met some of the Top consultants and all they were saying was I moved to London at the wrong time. And the bigger hit was during this time, World's one of the giant Bank name Lehman Brothers crashed and filed Bankruptcy. 30,000 Bankers lost their Job in a Day and London being the hub place for the Banks was in absolute Kayos situation. I cannot forget the sight even till this date,Me and Harsha want to see Lehman Brothers Bank for the last time and we rushed to see this Bank in Canary Warf London. The sight what we looked was very touchy as employees of Lehman Brothers were walking out the office with absolute disappointment and no hope on future. Next day papers and news channel was bombarded with Job losses and the city was in the realm of fear as to what the future holds. In the midst of all this…... I was there looking out for a Job.
04th June 2008,
I had an appointment with a gentlemen in Robert Walters and Robert Walters is one of the London's best consultants. Office was located in London Embankment street.He started telling me the facts as how I made a terrible mistake by moving to London at the wrong time. Even though I was smiling at him, deep inside I was completely hurt. After the conversation I need to take a tube from Embankment to reach my house in Tower Hill. But I was so hurt, I really didn't want to take the train but rather want to take a walk to my house. Around 11.30 am, I was walking on the Thames river path way. People around me were so busy they were walking all around. All of a sudden something strange happened to me. Fear gripped my heart as never before. Thoughts came where all my family and friends were thousands mile away in India and I am all alone in the city. Words of my friends came to my remembrance where they were making fun of my decision moving into London. Thoughts came as to what I am doing here all alone. When this fear came, All of sudden something happened too. I began to see pictures in mind of me accepting the Lord at the age of 12, pictures of me sowing my first seed offering of 58 Rupees to the Lord. Also saw how the Lord Step by Step prospered me in every area of my life. When I saw that, I said ''That’s it''. I began to talk. When I say talk, I literally began to speak loudly to myself. I said to the Lord I am not going to worry anymore but rather I want to thank you for all the good things for what you have done in my life so far. I said to the Lord even if I get back to India as a failure, I will still rejoice and will praise his holy name. I started singing songs loudly like ''Great is thy Faithfulness'' and '' You are my hiding place''. When I did that……..Immediately the Presence of God hit me in that place. I felt someone hugging me tight and comforting me saying that everything is going to be all right. Tears where gushing in my eyes. I couldn't control myself. There was a sense of great peace surrounded me. Honestly I am unable to explain how I felt but It was an awesome experience. I couldn't control myself so I sat on the bench that was beside the river and I was just thanking and praising God for sometime. 12.30 PM I came home and I slept on my bed as I was feeling very tired.
Around 4 PM in the evening I received a call on my mobile. A fine gentlemen started speaking to me. In our conversation I came to know he was the Vice President of Deustche Bank London and he began to talk to me lots of things. To cut short the story he said I was offered a Job at Deustche Bank London. Honest before God, I haven't seen this person and neither did I know him before. That’s It :) . I jumped out my bed with absolute excitement. Knelt on the floor, I bowed myself to the Lord and I started praising and thanking god. The truth now I remember when man's strength is completely over and you look up to God as the only source of your existance, When this happens God intervenes and proves himself that he is the Lord of all who said '' I AM THAT I AM Praise God for his holy name !!
This was just the begining. God began to work on my behalf. I received a call from Worlds biggest US custodian Bank and they Informed I been appointed as a permanent employee for the Cash settlements in London for the Fixed Income team and they informed me to come and collect the offer letter. I knelt down and started prasing and thanking God of his goodness. I received an offer from one of the Germans biggest Bank for the role in Equity Settlements team as a permanent employee and they informed me that I should come and collect the offer letter as soon as I can.I knelt down and started prasing and thanking God of his goodness. I received an offer from a Scottish Bank who deal with merger and acquisition in London. The Director of that Bank liked my profile very much and informed me that I should come and collect the offer letter. I knelt down and started prasing and thanking God of his goodness. Few days later again I received an offer from one of the UK's Biggest firm in Investment Banking for the role in Settlements team as a permanent employee. I knelt down and started prasing and thanking God of his goodness. Simultaneously I received another offer from US Biggest and one of the World's biggest bank. The role was in Cash settlements as a permanent employee.To cut it short,Overall I received 6 offers from the worlds biggest Banks in a short span of time. And I had a tough time choosing the right one. All I could say….Look what the Lord has done. Praise God for his goodness. In Old Testament, There was a time when the people of Egypt were dying in famine but the people of Isreal at Goshen were prospering. How I believe it. We are bound to prosper even in the midst of famine. It's true God's people will prosper in the midst of Recession and the credit crunch.I am the true witness for it. Where the world is in turmoil and 1000's of people lost Job and looking out for one, God intervenes and performs a miracle and not only that he gives me a choice to choose the Bank, This is truly awesome. Had some intial problem to choose the right Bank but later after struggling for sometime with much prayer I settled at the place.Today I enjoy my work and I can feel God at my work place. My Job is interesting and God gave me a good designation at work. I am physically placed next to London Stock Exchange. As mentioned in the begining, I had a desire to join a small bank in Bangalore but never expected that God would place me in such a high place and to work in one of the worlds biggest bank. Highly Blessed and Highly favoured by God.
One thing I have learnt in my life is to be thankful to God at all times and never to look at my circumstances. And also I learnt to believe him like a child at all times.I always keep remembering where I am coming from and the things all I posses now purely came from God. And thats the fact. This makes me to be humble and allows me to praise god at all times. I will never forget as long as I live, the day when I planted my first seed offering of Rs 58 to the Lord. It was all I had and I obeyed the lords Instruction and God eventually honoured me for my obedience and he changed my entire life once for all and he is still doing it. God has placed me in a position now where I can see Millions. As a human, my mind can never understand the Majesty and working of the Lord. A guy who saw only Rs 58 few years ago and honoured God with his Instruction according to his word in the Bible and now God in return made him to see Millions especially during the time of Recession and credit crunch. This is truly awesome.I believe its just the beginning. I just want to stay in his mighty arms and want to believe him like a child.
I wrote this blog because so many people are dealing with burdens brought on by the economic downturn on top of the everyday challenges in their families, careers, relationships, and health. The enemy would love nothing more than to make you feel isolated, hopeless, and forgotten. But I want to remind you that you are not forgotten. You are not alone, and you do have hope! God Almighty has promised to be with you on the mountain and in the valley. He is as close to you as the air you breathe. He is there to walk with you and guide you even in the dark, difficult times.
So often we find ourselves waiting for a better day, a “one day,” to move forward. We look at our circumstances and think, “One day, I’ll have better health…One day, the economy will improve, and I can get a better job…One day, I’ll break this addiction.” But I want you to know that today is your “one day.” It’s your time to break free from past limitations and embrace every promise God has for you.
God’s promises aren’t based on the economy. They aren’t based on circumstances or what other people feel or say. God’s promises are based on His Word which stands true forever! No matter what is going on around you, you can stand tall with your head held high knowing that God is still working in your life, and He will complete what He’s started in you.
Trust Jesus. Dare to believe God and his words.He is your ultimate source and none, except him.God is no respector of any person. He loves you very much and he has a great plan for your life. God sees you as a victor and not as a victim. If you remember what I said in the begining If God could do so much great thing for a simple guy like me from city of Bangalore, How much more he can do it for you. Think about it and Be Blessed :)
God richly Bless you.
PS : You are most welcome to contact me on my email : yakub.albert@gmail.com
