Overloaded – Abriel Chan

Growing up I was overloaded with Bible stories, memory verses, about what Jesus did for us, and what being a good Christian was about. Most of the time in Sunday school, I felt bored and just treated it as one of my weekly tasks. I knew who Jesus was, but I didn’t understand what was the true meaning of living for Him. I joined various church programs, and they helped me understand more but I was still confused of what the purpose of my life was. I thought I could sin because I could just ask God for forgiveness afterwards, but I was wrong.

I had accepted the Christ into my life when I was quite young. One of the times I could recall was in VBS when I was grade 3. After the teacher talked to us about what Jesus had done, we prayed. She asked the class for whoever wanted the free gift from God to raise our hand. I asked myself, what could I lose? I liked gifts. After the prayer, I opened my eyes. I expected to see a gift in front of me, but I didn’t see anything. Later I asked the teacher where’s our gift and she patiently told me that God’s gift is eternal life and I could live with God in heaven if I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal savior. Back then I didn’t understand fully, but after going to the 2003 Youth Camp I felt compelled to seek God with my new understanding. The speaker said that we should be like sheep and let the Holy Spirit shepherd us.  After that I let God take over my life, instead of me trying to do what I think is right.

After letting God take over, I see change slowly happening in my life. Now I see how Bible reading, prayer, and sermons are ways that God can talk to me. The problems that I face I leave to God. I may not receive what I want but I know everything is a part of the plan God has for me.

Back to 2006 Easter Baptismal.