Berny Ilarde
Member Profile
Bernard B. Ilarde “Berny”
Tenor
I was always aware that there was something lacking in my life… I’ve always felt that there is something that I haven’t done; food I haven’t tasted; feelings I haven’t felt yet; places I haven’t gone to… There was always something.
I’ve always thought too that I have known Christ. Growing up in a traditional Filipino family, we were ‘taught’ to know Him. But still there was a deep longing. And with this longing in mind, I desired to satisfy it. I searched for God.
I met Jesus early on - in High School. I accepted Him in my life but it never took roots. So I drifted away. Time went by and some of those longings were filled and met. I ventured into so many things and I thought these were the things I sought for. But still I searched… and longed. Many things have happened in my life since then. Some good and some are not. But God knew better. He always seems to draw something good even from the bad.
The Canadian Tour of the Himig Singers was the wake-up call for me. It was during this time that God made me realize that all the things that happened to me have to take place. They have to, so that God could show me the plans He has set in my life. He desired to make me His own.
God loves me very much – this now I know… even before I loved Him. He searched for me long before I did. And He made me realize that He is my Reason for living. He is my Happiness and my Joy. He is my Provider and my Comforter. He is my Savior and Lord. All these things, I can now say with certainty and conviction. No matter what happens now, I will be spending my eternity with Jesus Christ.
God wants me to grow in love for Him. That is why I have always felt emptiness and longing in my heart because He would be the only one to fill it at the exact moment. I have now stopped searching and longing because I have found the Answer.
