I was driving home one evening when I suddenly remember two of my elder sisters whom had converted to another religion. It griefs whenever I think of them. I lost them the day they converted. Although we can still "eat together" occasionally, it is not the same ...
That was at the middle of December, 2006.
They were not the only ones. Many others are being lured to this religion in the interior of Sabah. The prospects of landing into good paying jobs, financial assistant for further studies and the promise of many benefits, had lured many to convert. They did not know what they were getting themselves into.
I cant forget the year 1979. I was 13. I was sent by the Sabah Foundation to study in the Peninsular. I was put up in a boarding school. During my boarding days, I was told by friends that I will go to hell when I die because I am a Christian. If I want to go to heaven, then I need to become one of them. I asked myself "Are all the good people in church back home bound for hell?" One Christian fellowship outside of the school tried to reach me. One day I was given a Bible to read. But it was "borrowed" by one of our religious teachers. A few days later, I saw the cover was what left of it when I passed by his house on my way to the school's canteen one afternoon. He burnt the Bible. Not a very pleasant memory.
I remember crying alone in the hostel when all my friends went for their Friday prayers. There in the dormitory I asked God "God, Who are You? Why cant I see You? Why am I a Christian? Why is life so lonely? Who are You? What is the purpose of study? Life?Why am I away from my family?Why You put me here? Lord, Who are YOU?? Are You the Christian God? Or are You the Muslim God? Which One? Please, I need to know Who You are. If You let me know Who You are and the way to go to You, then I promise will let others know the way..I know I am not alone in this search for You. If You tell me, I will tell them.." I remember crying. Really cried for the first time. I cried in search for His reality. I was 13. My mum was praying hard for my protection and salvation every 3 am since the day I left Sabah to study in Sekolah Menengah Ibrahim, Sungai Petani Kedah.
I got saved in 1984. What took me so long?
" Lord, I will tell them.." I am what I am because of that simple vow.
28 years ago.
God is good. He is so so good isn't He?
While driving home that evening, God's Spirit rose within me and I heard His still small voice "Strengthen My people, my son!"
I pulled over and smsed a lawyer friend "Our interior focus is to strengthen the interior for Christ"! The reply was a strong positive.
Thats exactly what I am going to do this year, strengthening God's people for Christ!
I am now on Ezra and Nehemiah. I can identify with them as I read them again in the context of what was put into my heart. Both were sent back to rebuild. I am also "commissioned" to "rebuild". Our third generation (SIB in particular) need to be strengthened. Many have knowledge about the Lord but we need to bring that knowledge into a daily reality of living in Christ! Many have a religion but not a relationship with the Lord. My sisters had religion but not a relationship with Christ. It was so then, it is so now.
But today we can make a difference. How? Through the preaching and teaching of the Gospel of Christ. Because faith comes from hearing the word of Christ. Paul the apostle asked "How shall they hear without a preacher? And how they are to preach unless they are sent?" And Paul quoted Isaiah "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"
Are you with me? Anyone?
