Seeing Not With My Eyes

From University of Toronto Chinese Christian Fellowship

Since the beginning of this school year, God has shown Himself to me in so many ways. Now, I want to share 3 such ways He’s amazed me.

About 3 weeks ago, I was walking with my friend around U of T, waiting for my class to start. We talked about a lot of things, starting off with our old high school friends. One thing led to another and she shared with me about how her uncle had recently past away. I asked her what she thought about heaven, and life after death. She told me her thoughts and asked me what I thought about heaven. What happened next really surprised me: she asked me about the gospel. So, I shared it with her. Although at the moment she probably saw the conversation as nothing more than just a conversation, I believe God is starting to work in her.

I didn’t know she never heard of the gospel before. To me, she has always been the one to know something about everything: music, TV shows, foods, clothes (she can recognize GAP clothing right when she sees it, but she never worked at GAP before), etc… It made me realize that the people we talk, walk, and live with everyday (be it our friends, classmates, or the person right beside you) might not have heard what Jesus done for us. Don’t take what you know for granted. It saves lives.

When I first started thinking about this testimony, I was planning to stop here. But God hasn’t stopped working in my life, so I felt compelled to share the next following experiences with you.

Last weekend, after my midterms, I was reading a Christian book called Just Like Jesus (by Max Lucado). The chapter talked about Jesus having an honest heart – a pure, sinless heart, and God wanted us to have this heart, too. Through this chapter, God was telling me that I wasn’t being honest about something in my life: my parents and CCF.

I’ve been going to CCF for more than a year now, and throughout this time, my parents always thought I had a Friday night class. I go to CCF behind their backs ‘cause in the past, I’ve asked them about CCF and they always said no. They were ok with me being a Christian, but didn’t want me to take my faith too seriously.

Well, in summer 2003, I was taking summer school. One day I thought I would go to CCF. Since then, I’ve gone to every CCF on Friday except during this past summer. Again, at the beginning of summer, I told my dad that I wanted to go. Answer: no. Since I wasn’t taking any summer school courses, I had no way of sneaking downtown without having my parents knowing that I was gone for at least 5 hours (2 hours CCF, 3 hours traveling).

Once school started, I continued going to CCF. Not only that, but I committed myself to serving CCF as a small group leader. As for my parents, they continued to think I was in a lecture. But I realized I was wrong. They’re not Christians, so how can I tell them how great Christianity is if I, myself, wasn’t being honest about my association with CCF? God hates it when we disobey our parents – it isn’t hard to imagine how He feels about deceiving them. I felt the Holy Spirit compelling me to make things right. So, the next day, I talked to my dad. I told him how I’ve been going to CCF and that I’ve been doing that for the past year. His response has shown me that God is also working in my family. Even though I’ve confessed about my deceit, I didn’t get in trouble. Not only that, my dad wasn’t against me going to CCF. He listened to me.

God also gave me peace that day. Normally, I would be somewhat nervous to talk to my parents about Christian stuff. I thought I would be even more nervous ‘cause I was making a confession. There was also the possibility of having a new problem to deal with: leading a small group and not going to large group. But I’ve learned that God is faithful – I can trust Him. So, I left it up to Him to decide my fate.

Afterwards, I was able to continue reading my book with joy and peace, and I even finished it. I wanted to read this book for a long time now. I started off asking my friends if they had it; I even tried to get it from the Toronto Public Library. All these attempts failed. My 6-month search for this book ended when I realized the only way I was going to read it is when I get my own copy. (Remember? Six months ago was near the beginning of summer, when I wasn’t able to go to CCF). God’s timing is perfect.

The last experience I want to share happened last night. After my classes, I went to Triple E, and we had a prayer walk. I went home with my friend, aka Triple E co –leader, Grace. I’ve known Grace for 8 years. We went to the same high school together, and now, our sisters are friends. Grace’s sister, Vania, started a fellowship/small group at their high school. I was really happy ‘cause I wanted my sister, Connie, to have a fellowship to go to. God has blessed me with CCF, and I wanted Connie to be part of a fellowship that would help her grow. But behind this fellowship, God also assembled another team to watch over Connie.

On the train ride home yesterday, Grace told me how she and her family have wondered whether Connie was a Christian. I shared the gospel with Connie a few years ago, and she prayed to Jesus. But I was skeptical about that incident – the entire sharing and praying took less than 5 mins. This skepticism came back when Grace asked me about Connie. I shared with Grace about my doubts, and she gave me some advice.

We talked about other things during the rest of the ride home. I forgot about this issue after we finished talking about it. Once I was home, I continued to forget about it. But, while on my computer, the Holy Spirit reminded me about Connie. The house was quieter than usual (I live with 7 other people and 3 cats. At that moment, half the people weren’t home, and my cats were nowhere in sight).

I talked to Connie, and realized that she misunderstood God’s grace. I tried my best to explain everything to her, and she listened and asked questions. In the end, I asked her if she wanted to pray and accept Jesus. I was surprised that after she said yes, she immediately went back to her computer, turned off her computer monitor, and then faced me, ready to pray. She is now a daughter of God.

I deserve no credit for Connie’s transformation. Although she is my sister, it was God and her friends who really helped her along. But God has blessed me with the opportunity to pray with her – I was used by God to do His will. Please know that God can take care of everything.

I know God is working in my life. There are a lot more things that I can share, and if you want to hear them, then come ask me! Thinking back on these situations, I’m reminded of Psalm 46: 10, “Be still, and know that I am God.”

Let God have control of your life.

Let God surprise you.

Let God bless you.

Let God BE God.

Let Him, as your Heavenly Father, love you for the way you are.

This past summer, I was really encouraged by what Paul wrote in Ephesians 3:16-19:

I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with the power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.

And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love surpasses all knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure with all the fullness of God.

I encourage you to continue seeking God.