Here it goes:
I am the youngest daughter, in a family of four. My parents are Polytheists, however they ever attended church on their own and are very receptive when I talked about Christ with them. My sister used to read the bible and completed some quizzes, scroing high points, when she was in Primary school. Unfortunately, she grew up and became an Atheist saying that science cannot prove God exist. I explained to her, taking love for example; science cannot prove or measure love, yet love exist.
“God is love." - 1 John 4:8
I grew up in a Buddist school, Mee Toh Primary School. During those years, I read books about reincarnation, on having good or bad next life, depending on how we live the present life. They did teach about having good morals, however, I felt no connection to the “Buddhist god”, unlike how I feel about Christ who is always with me every single second of my life.
“I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” - Matthew 28.20
Since young I already felt that they are NOT the one and only supreme God. I respected the religion, but not worship, because I felt those “gods” were probably once well-respected human so people prayed to them as a remembrance of their deeds. For example, there were just too many of the idols in the temples.
“For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God” - Exodus 20:4-5.
When I was 10 years old, I have a friend, Don, who was also 10 years old then. Don’s mother got into a car accident, and was in serious condition. Don was devastated and we felt helpless. One fateful day, Don, my sister and I decided to enter Novena Church, a Catholic Church, which was near Tan Tock Seng Hospital, after visiting his mother who was warded in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). That was how I started to know about Christ. And every Christmas, another church near our neighborhood will organize parties for children, and that was where I came into contact with the Gospel and learnt the basic yet important meaning of Christianity.
“The gospel is that Jesus Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.” - 1Cor 15:3-4
Two years ago, I was in a period of distress and depression. It started when I felt trapped working in my previous company, as a teacher in a student care. I earned $800 a month, and my friends who graduated with the same diploma are earning more than twice my pay. I felt I could not provide for my family, and started to feel pressured. There was no career advancement as it was a small student care centre. I tried applying to Ministry of Education but I was rejected by National Institute of Education (NIE) as a trainee-teacher. I felt like a lost sheep, with no directions in life.
During that period, my life took a worse turn when my relationship with my non-Christian ex-boyfriend soured. He cheated on me when I loved and care for him. I was shocked. From then, my world seemed to come to a complete stop, or rather a downhill spiral. I could not adapt to the new situation, yet being in a routine environment. Everyday was a torture to me. I was depressed and had insomnia, and if I do fall asleep, I'll have nightmares. I was extremely exhausted till the point I wished my life would end.
Somehow, I did not give up. I went to the chapel alone, crying, I prayed, over and over again for the same things. I gained strength and faith to press on with each passing day. I prayed for a new environment, so that I can lead a new life, and to start afresh. Within months, I received my reply from NIE. I am finally accepted as a trainee-teacher! My new life began! HALLELUJAH! I also prayed to get my degree, so that I could provide more for my family and to the church in future. God, being always faithful, answered my prayers again.
Through all the difficulties I’ve faced, during these two years, made me realize we have no control over our life. It is only when I surrender my life, putting all my trust, faith and hope in the Lord, that my life changed completely.
“For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. Jeremiah 29:11-12
When I told my mother about all the things God has provided me, she agreed with me, and whenever I say I’m going to church, she will say, “Very good!” No words can express how thankful I am to God, for providing me with all the things that I could never imagine having two years ago.
“But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD whose confidence is in him.” Jeremiah 17:7-8
I got to know Zhi Rong, seven months ago and he brought me to Prinsep Street Presbyterian Church. He lead me to the discovery class, and now The Campus Hub. I made so many friends in church and felt so at home. I feel very happy and comfortable.
God made me a naturally cheerful person. Hence, two years ago, I could not understand why I had to go through all the bad times and become depressed. Now, I realized there’s a reason. I learnt a lot through those experiences and now I am able to emphasize with friends who are going through similar rough times. I will always share bible verses that I used to encourage myself and I like to link whatever I think about with a bible verse. Almost anything that I think of will be in the bible! Amen!
I think God’s gift for me would be giving my friends strength, faith and trust that God has a better plan for them. Spreading happiness and the love of God!
“With God, all things are possible.” - Matthew 19:26
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