My grief started last September; I had lost my beloved. My world turned upside down. I felt overwhelming sorrow; I was devastated. I did not know what to do. How could I possibly move on or even dare to think about saying those words “move on”?
At the funeral, her Christian mother had us sing church songs and say prayers. I could see that this Jesus figure had a significant impact on her; this was not what I had expected at all.
This was a reintroduction of Christianity into my life, but in a totally different way. Yes, I had attended a Christian school, but many years had passed. I was certainly not a believer, but I think the seed had been planted.
Jesus has provided a way for us to be saved
I started to pray to God every day, although I didn’t understand what I was doing, and I certainly didn’t think of myself as a Christian! Strange things began to happen: Jesus kept popping up everywhere, from my phone, TV, roadside banners, gospel leaflets, here, there, and everywhere. Jesus was inescapable! They all pointed me to one message: “Jesus loves you and will save you”.
Near my workplace, there is a Christian bookshop, and one day I bought a Bible. Whilst reading it, I found God’s peace and love. I started watching sermons online and listening to Christian songs. I felt comforted. However, I still didn’t have much understanding of God or grace.
I had a sense that I shouldn’t learn about Jesus alone, that I needed to attend a church so that I could learn more. From that same bookshop, I found out about a church called St. Andrew’s; I noticed a course called “Christianity Explored”. I turned up having missed the first week! The topic was about sin. That evening, I learnt that only God could forgive our sins, and only Jesus can save us and make us righteous. I was touched because I had always heaped condemnation on myself, I could not forgive myself.
At the end of the session, I was asked if I wanted to follow Jesus and receive God’s forgiveness. Forgiveness was what I longed for; I cried out, “Yes!” and accepted Jesus into my life and received his forgiveness. I felt exceptionally joyful; people even commented that they could see joy on my face.
“Whoever believes and is baptised will be saved”: I read this from the last chapter of Mark. I know I am saved, forgiven, and reborn, but I am eager to get baptised as a public declaration of that. I find God’s presence in my life grows when I come to church, and I am thankful to be able to get baptised in church with you, God’s people.
I missed the chance to respond to Jesus when I was young, but I am thankful for the opportunity to respond as an adult. Jesus has provided a way for us to be saved; don’t wait until it’s too late!
