Saturday, April 22, 2006
A new birth on Good Friday
I was finally baptised on Good Friday (16/4/06).
Here's my testimony. Thank you all for being there and especially those who encouraged me before and during this walk with God.
Before I knew Jesus, I relied on myself for everything. I strived hard to achieve my goals and to live life to the fullest. However, I paused one day and asked myself. “What was all these for? Where would all these lead me? What is the meaning of life? Would life just end with a full stop? What would happen after we die?”
So, one fateful night when we were out for a walk, I asked Meow these questions. She told me about Jesus Christ, and the promise of salvation. It was a couple of years since I had met Meow, and there were certainly times when we would engage in conversations about religions. But there were always some questions and doubt in me. For example, how salvation is impossible in Buddhism, because with karma and reincarnation, you will always be reliving a cycle. People are not perfect, and it's impossible to be sinless. So that night, Meow’s answer about a promised destination after life with Jesus stuck with me.
Around that time, “The Gospel of John” and “The Passion of Christ” were showing. I watched both movies and I cried in “The Passion of Christ” but I didn’t understand why I was so touched by it. I engaged in meaningful discussions about them with Becky, Meow and another Christian friend. I was stunned when my friend told me that instead of us seeking God, God is actually the one who seeks us! And God actually sent His son down to die for our sins, thereby giving us eternal life!
But I was still paranoid over attending church because I didn’t know if I could fit in. I was worried over how I would get along with the people in church, how the service would be like, etc. However, I told myself that if someone invited me to church, I would go. And guess what? Meow invited me to church out of the blue! And of course I couldn’t decline the invitation! Even Aunty SK gave me a lift to church! And I felt very comfortable in church because it was small and the people were friendly and unthreatening.
But I thought it was just a coincidence, so I told myself again that if anyone were to give me a bible, I would believe in Jesus. And indeed, Meow gave me a really suitable Backpack bible! I was shocked, but I thought I would try again for a last time just to prove that it isn’t all a coincidence. So I thought to myself that I would believe in Christ if I was invited to a cell group. And of course, I was invited to cell group! And the people in the cell were extremely friendly, and they were sincere. However I was still unsure over how to become a Christian. And I told myself that the chance would come when a pastor asked the question. And God really knows all my thoughts! After several services, there was once when a pastor did ask if anyone was ready to give their life to Jesus. I raised my hand. He prayed for me and I gave my life to Jesus that day. I was convinced that God had been seeking me through the many signs, and I needed no more convincing.
Since then, life has never been the same.
Jesus said, “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)”, and this rejuvenates me whenever I am drained. I also have the promise of the power of Jesus, the One who created the Earth and the Universe! “I can do all things through Him who gives me strength (Philippians 4:13).” And “He will never leave me nor forsake me (Hebrews 13:5)”. I know that God is always with me and I can always rely on Him. Everything happens for a reason, according to His will, and He only wants the best for us because He loves us so. He loved us so much that He sent His only son down to earth to die for our sins. Therefore, regardless of how tough the going is, I know that I can survive it because I have Jesus.
Here's my testimony. Thank you all for being there and especially those who encouraged me before and during this walk with God.
Before I knew Jesus, I relied on myself for everything. I strived hard to achieve my goals and to live life to the fullest. However, I paused one day and asked myself. “What was all these for? Where would all these lead me? What is the meaning of life? Would life just end with a full stop? What would happen after we die?”
So, one fateful night when we were out for a walk, I asked Meow these questions. She told me about Jesus Christ, and the promise of salvation. It was a couple of years since I had met Meow, and there were certainly times when we would engage in conversations about religions. But there were always some questions and doubt in me. For example, how salvation is impossible in Buddhism, because with karma and reincarnation, you will always be reliving a cycle. People are not perfect, and it's impossible to be sinless. So that night, Meow’s answer about a promised destination after life with Jesus stuck with me.
Around that time, “The Gospel of John” and “The Passion of Christ” were showing. I watched both movies and I cried in “The Passion of Christ” but I didn’t understand why I was so touched by it. I engaged in meaningful discussions about them with Becky, Meow and another Christian friend. I was stunned when my friend told me that instead of us seeking God, God is actually the one who seeks us! And God actually sent His son down to die for our sins, thereby giving us eternal life!
But I was still paranoid over attending church because I didn’t know if I could fit in. I was worried over how I would get along with the people in church, how the service would be like, etc. However, I told myself that if someone invited me to church, I would go. And guess what? Meow invited me to church out of the blue! And of course I couldn’t decline the invitation! Even Aunty SK gave me a lift to church! And I felt very comfortable in church because it was small and the people were friendly and unthreatening.
But I thought it was just a coincidence, so I told myself again that if anyone were to give me a bible, I would believe in Jesus. And indeed, Meow gave me a really suitable Backpack bible! I was shocked, but I thought I would try again for a last time just to prove that it isn’t all a coincidence. So I thought to myself that I would believe in Christ if I was invited to a cell group. And of course, I was invited to cell group! And the people in the cell were extremely friendly, and they were sincere. However I was still unsure over how to become a Christian. And I told myself that the chance would come when a pastor asked the question. And God really knows all my thoughts! After several services, there was once when a pastor did ask if anyone was ready to give their life to Jesus. I raised my hand. He prayed for me and I gave my life to Jesus that day. I was convinced that God had been seeking me through the many signs, and I needed no more convincing.
Since then, life has never been the same.
Jesus said, “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)”, and this rejuvenates me whenever I am drained. I also have the promise of the power of Jesus, the One who created the Earth and the Universe! “I can do all things through Him who gives me strength (Philippians 4:13).” And “He will never leave me nor forsake me (Hebrews 13:5)”. I know that God is always with me and I can always rely on Him. Everything happens for a reason, according to His will, and He only wants the best for us because He loves us so. He loved us so much that He sent His only son down to earth to die for our sins. Therefore, regardless of how tough the going is, I know that I can survive it because I have Jesus.
# posted by Banana Saviour @ 9:50 AM 
