Davao's Fred Lumba Ponders: Is God guiding Manny Pacquiao?

Manny Pacquiao, everybody knows, is a Born-Again Christian.

After dismissing Thurman convincingly, many concerned sports fans are urging the Senator from Sarangani to hung up his gloves and focus his attention to legislation and his pledge to the country.

The only 8-division world champion, the ‘Pambansang Kamao’ did not come out unscathed in his most recent ring appearance.

“I was hurt, I got hit several times,” he said in a post-fight interview.

The 12-round split decision victory was seen all over the globe. The Filipino received power shots from the erstwhile undefeated WBA welterweight king and his reddened lumpy cheeks and around the eyes showed the damage.

He even got hit several times in the head for which the doctor had reason to prevent him from immediately jetting back to the Philippines in time for the President’s 2019 SONA.

My Christian friends and associates have urged me to visit and talk to Bro. Manny to counsel him about the merits of retirement.

My reply?

I said: “Bro. Manny has surrendered his life to the Lord, acknowledging that without God, he (Pacquiao) is nothing. In fact, he has posted this on his FB wall which was already seen by thousands of his adoring fans and supporters.”

If you carefully examine Pacquiao’s ring history, you will be amazed at how the Good Lord has been handling his career, from a struggling light flyweight seeking a place in the sun in the mid-nineties to his legendary ascendance to the most popular weight class today.

I am inclined to believe that God will continue to direct Manny’s boxing career until He wills it no longer.

Why?

Because as Bro. Manny is now exemplifying, God equips who He calls. Like He did to Moses, a stuttering murderer, God has called Manny to reveal to unbelievers that even the least educated ( a popular TV host condescendingly mocked Pacquiao in an interview, citing the latter’s lack of a college degree) He will transform into a conquering but generous billionaire.

Not even in our wildest dreams did we imagine this happening to a lowly man like Pacquiao but the good Lord made it happen right before our very eyes.

God did not transform Pacquiao to be a superman in a Clark Kent of a ring gladiator. His omniscience displayed to us the mortal origins of the former pound for pound king.

Bro. Manny’s losses (to Morales, Marquez, Bradley, Mayweather and Jeff Horn served as godly reminders for him (Pacquiao) to slow down and look up to Him for refreshing guidance.

I will not pre-empt what Manny wants to do because I know very clearly that he is allowing God to handle his affairs – all of them – including his family life and his political future.

When God at any time steps in and tells Pacquiao to quit boxing, Bro. Manny will hang up his gloves with nary a complaint. He is such an obedient son of God that is why Jesus loves him.

Obedience to God is the key to receiving godly blessings.

A preacher on the side, Bro. Manny’s favorite Bible verse is incidentally my favorite, too. Matthew 6:33 says:

“But first seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added on to you.”

God takes care of us as he takes care of Manny. He guides those who come to Him and walks with those who love to walk with God.

Don’t forget: READ THE BIBLE EVERYDAY. Email your feedback to Fred Lumba: fredlumba@yahoo.com

GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!