I was born into a traditional Chinese family that practiced rigorous ancestral worship which carries the significance of filial piety, and the superstitious belief that it will bring prosperity and success to the family through “divine” intervention and blessings of deceased ancestors. I grew up in this environment and the ritual became part of my life.
By the grace of God, my mother enrolled me in an Anglican Kindergarten – St Hilda’s, and also their primary school. This began my journey with God. My childhood was spent in a Christian school environment with loving and nurturing teachers, attending weekly chapel services, Bible study classes, hymn singing and sharing sessions by invited Christian speakers. I asked to attend Church on Sunday but my parents forbade me. During this period, my maternal uncle became a Christian, and subsequently my maternal grandfather, a backslidden Christian, repented and returned to God at his deathbed. I felt a sense of peace during his Christian funeral services though the family was in deep grief. During school holidays, I looked forward to stay over with my maternal grandmother as I could attend church with my uncle on Sundays.
After primary school, I left the Christian environment, attended Secondary school, JC and then NUS Medical School. Although my parents banned me from church, I chose Bible studies as one of my subjects in secondary school and joined a Christian fellowship in Junior College to continue my spiritual growth. In NUS, I particularly enjoyed one-to-one Bible study and discipleship with a senior from Medical School under the Navigator’s discipleship programme. God had been very gracious to me during the tough periods in NUS, giving me help when I needed support, especially family “persecution” against my faith. By His grace, I saw my faith grew through my trials. After graduation, I decided to take a step of faith to commit my life to God despite strong objections from my parents. I was baptised at Life B-P Church in October 2000. I faced struggles attending church regularly due to heavy commitments at work and challenges at home – being treated as a “traitor.” I rebelled against God, tried to take control of my own life and backslid. The more I wanted control over my life, I found myself struggling even more. God spoke to me and took me back under His wings. He didn’t give up on me but was patiently waiting for me to return to Him. When I re-consecrated myself to the Lord, things started to fall in place when I let God be in charge. I finally understood what submission to God means and experienced the Holy Spirit working within me. I thank God for His abundant grace, mercy, and blessings.
Over time, the attitude of my family towards Christianity has improved. Now I have family members who are Christians. Elderly family members no longer object to Christianity, including my mother, who has even asked me to pray for her in her time of need. I am praying for their salvation and I hope to be a good testimony for Christ, at home, at work and in church. May the Lord continue to use me as He wills, being confident of this very thing, that He which had begun a good work in me will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:6).