In my school days, I sought to be “successful” in life in terms of academic achievements and extra-curricular activities. It would largely revolve around trying to outsmart or outshine my peers. This mentality, however, did not bring me true happiness, as no one could always be a winner in every situation or circumstance in life. I stumbled during my junior college education and I was made to drop a subject. During my “A” level examination I met another hurdle of doing badly for a subject and was disappointed with my local university applications. When I tried to seek overseas education, funding for my matriculation fees placed a big burden on my parents. It must have been, however, the grace of God as well as my mother’s help, which placed me with a spot in a United Kingdom university. I started to attend a Chinese Christian church while I was abroad. I received Jesus as my Lord and Savior during university. I need him as my Savior as he washes away all my sins. This allows me to draw near to God. He has always watched over me during tough times and throughout my education abroad. I also made it a regular commitment to attend church service, cell group meetings, and serve in the Church. I did the best I could while I was overseas. God has been kind to me and I graduated with good grades and returned home safely to work.
Transition into work life is yet another big challenge in my life. It was not long before I became so consumed with work, trying to gain satisfaction by excelling other people at work and being upset with all the negative circumstances at work. I did not turn to God but stopped attending church service. Not many things in life gave me true happiness. Seeking worldly things only brought me emptiness and despair. Unknowingly, I always felt an inner urge to listen to God’s Word again. Fortunately, I met a colleague who invited me to Tree of Life Christian Church. This made me start reading the Bible again. Looking back at my thirty odd years, I think God has always given me all the truth and answers I need. The Bible says that “there is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the Heavens” (Ecclesiastes 3:1), and “consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance” (James 1:2-3). God has placed all the seasons in my life and taught me perseverance. The Bible also exhorts me to “be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes” (Ephesians 6:10-11). He taught me to stand firm and to be always equipped against temptations. He also always provides for my needs. In all of my imperfections, God gave us His only Son, Jesus, who is the way and truth to life. He heals broken lives and the sick, teaches us to bear the fruit of the Spirit, and gives comfort and rest to those who are worn out in life. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
It is time for me to receive baptism, to receive life, and to affirm myself as a child of God. Nothing in the world is perfect, except God, Jesus, and His love for us. Rather than having a troubled mind and seeking meaningless pursuits of life, God has made everything beautiful in His plans for me. “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to the end” (Ecclesiastes 3:11). I hope that my faith will be firm, and I would not turn my back on God, but always meditate on His Word. In my new life, I hope to be wise and always seek Him and his righteousness, and put my trust in God to be my Savior in life.