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Personal
Testimonies
Why Our Faith is in Jesus Christ
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Jesus in my life has put a new perspective on how I view the
world
I was born and raised in a Christian family. My paternal grandparents have been devoted Christians since their youth. My mother lost both her parents when she was just a child. She became a Christian after her marriage to my father.
When I was around the age of six or seven, my grandparents came to live with us. We attended a Presbyterian church, where my grandfather served as elder. I remember walking with my grandmother to church on Sundays, and on the way home, she would stop by a neighborhood store and buy me a Popsicle. I remember the wonderful desserts my mother use to make to serve at the fellowship gatherings at our house and the nightly family Bible reading and prayer hour. But in reality, I did not fully comprehend the essence of the gospel in those days. Going to church was just an activity we did as a family.
In 1967, when I was twelve years old, my family left Taiwan and moved to California. There was only one Cantonese-speaking Chinese church in San Mateo, where we Lived, so we started attending an American Baptist church. The pastor and the people at the church were very friendly and helpful to us. But, my mother had a difficult time understanding the sermon. In 1974, we moved from San Mateo to Mountain View and found a Mandarin-Speaking church. By this time, among my three sisters and two brothers, my oldest sister was married, my older brother found a job and moved to Arizona, another sister was away in college, and my younger sister was living with my oldest sister. There was only my younger brother and I living at home, and only I continued to attend church with my parents.
Sometimes I wonder why I was blessed with the decision to continue to attend church. I believe it was not so much a firm conviction on my part as it was a fear of forfeiting something wonderful, even though I wasn't quite sure what that something is. By this time, my grandfather has passed away. My grandmother lived with us and shared a bedroom with me. It was difficult for her to get around to attend church. But, everyday she will hold her own worship by singing hymns, studying the Bible and praying for all her grandchildren. She would remind me constantly as I get prepared to go to church on Sundays that God will bless me for my continued devotion.
My life of Christian faith has no dramatic events or life threatening situations to be impressive to others. But every decade of my life has brought new understanding of God's role in my life. In 1980's, I was feeling depressed and "fed up" with life. I questioned the purpose of human existence. I came to the conclusion that all the things that men must do in order to live on earth, such as studying and working, are totally frivolous and without purpose. It was memory of grandmother and her constant reminder of God's blessings when I was young that gave me assurance that life is more than a series of activities, that life without the hope Jesus provides would indeed have no purpose. I do not have my grandmother to pray for me anymore, my spiritual growth has become my own responsibility.
I've discovered that having Jesus in my life has put a new perspective on how I view the world. The world is never going to perfect and I will never cease to have problems. But knowing that I can rest in Jesus in the world and eternally gives me comfort to go on. I hope someday people will see in me the joy and inner peace that my grandmother was blessed with. Perhaps it will occur in another decade of my life.
God was using me in
His own way according to His time
Unlike some Christians who have a dramatic conversion experience, I used to wonder why my experience of accepting Jesus Christ was so plain and mellow. When it comes to share our testimony, mine doesn't stand out or have people nod their head and said 'Amen". At least that's what I think.
When I was little. I was brought to church and attended Sunday school. My parents' house was always full of people visiting from church, holding prayer meetings and having bible studies, at least when my Uncle (a full time devoted servant of God) was living with us. All I knew was to behave and be quiet while the adults had the meetings.
As I grew older and attended a Protestant High School, we had daily sermon service in the morning before classes. At the end of every meeting, there would be a calling for students to accept Jesus Christ as their personal savior by raising their hands. I would raise my hand every single time, but wonder why I was never asked to get baptized. One day, the advisor from school told me not to raise my hand every time.
In 1963, I came to the States with my parents as a freshman in high school. We attended a local Chinese Church. I attended their bible study and small group prayer meeting. One day, the pastor asked me if I accepted Christ and wanted me to get baptized. I was so happy to say "YES' and wonder why nobody has asked me that before, and I never took the approach to confirm my belief.
So, I was a confirmed Christian, but never had much of a testimony to share with people. Sometimes I would envy other Christians who had so much experience and so much to share.
God was using me in His own way according to His time. Up until few years ago, I have so much to share and lots of praises. His love overwhelms me in so many ways.
It started when I was raising 3 teenagers. It was a challenge. It took much tears and prayers. Then came the death of my father-in-law. My mother went through an aneurysm surgery that almost took her life. Six months later I was told that I had cancer after an extended surgery. After weeks of radiation, I began to gain my health back. On a rainy night, my mother fell in front of her house and broke her hip. Before she was fully recovered, the day before my son's wedding, my dad was diagnosed with lung cancer. Within months, he passed away to be with the Lord.
Now, I really have a lot to thank God, and much to praise. If it weren't He who guides me through each day, and leads me through the event that happened one after another, I wouldn't be sharing this with everybody here today. He is there to help me when I need him and He is always so ever faithful, loving and caring. He knows my need and how little I can bear. When the burden is too heavy, and I feel that I cannot take it anymore. He lightens it for me so that I can take another step forward and give all the glory to Him.
I like to share a song with you. It's called "God Hath Not Promised"
God hath not promised skies always blue, Flower strewn pathways all our lives thru
God hath not promised sun without rain, Joy without sorrow, peace without pain.
God hath not promised we shall not know toil and temptation, trouble and woe;
He hath not told us we shall not bear many a burden, many a care.
God hath not promised smooth roads and wide, swift, easy travel, needing no guide;
Never a mountain rocky and steep, never a river turbid and deep.
But God hath promised strength for the day rest for the labor,
Light for the way, Grace for the trials, help from above, unfailing sympathy, undying love.
Any child can become a Christian
I was born in a family with no religious background. Both of my parents were not believers. The neighborhood we were lived in, however, had a few fervent Christians. We were invited to their church in several occasions. As a result, I became a regular attendee of the worship service and their Sunday school class.
It was one of Sunday morning in my ninth year attending the Sunday school. The teacher was teaching diligently and faithfully about Jesus Christ and his salvation. I remember vividly I was very moved and decided to make the decision to follow Christ. Although I did not fully comprehend what is the meaning of following Him or being his disciple, I nevertheless did start attending worship and fellowship regularly. I was very blessed during my youth years after I started following Christ.
Reflecting upon the experience of been saved, I contribute it to a simple and willing heart. As a child, the motive is really pure and simple. In that particular Sunday school, I know something moved me and I just simply responded. This is one of the reason I deeply believe that children evangelism is so important. Any child can become a Christian and not even knowing it. But the life inside will grow and mature according to God's own time table. I am one such example.
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