Through Thick and Thin... – Joshua Lang

Hi, my name is Joshua Lang. I am a 13 year old boy who was born here in Vancouver. From birth I was raised in a Christian environment as many of my parents’ friends are Christian. For a long time I hated going to church... Why? Well let's just say: I hated getting up early on Sunday; I thought Sunday school was generally boring; and thought it was unfair that I had to go to church while many of my school friends didn't. I wouldn't say that I was the student in Sunday school who was always disrupting things... But I definitely did not like it, and probably wasn't paying attention most of the time; well, except if there was a prize involved.

As I grew older, I started to mature a littler more and paid more attention, and perhaps participated more; I still didn't like it much though. But even though I didn't like it much; I was beginning to become more curious. Sometimes when I went home I’d ask a few questions about a Christian-related topic: Who? When? What? Where? Huh? *scratches head* It was something I had never done in the past. I also started praying more seriously, instead of my traditional: Dear God, thank you for a wonderful day, Amen. My prayers finally had meaning and actually meant something to me. My respect for God had grown tremendously and I finally truly believed in God. However if I had to mark a specific event in which I truly decided to walk on this path it would have to be when I was nine (or eight or 10) . I had just woken up in the morning and couldn’t find my gameboy–my favorite toy at the time; and also something I used to keep me entertained as I followed my parents around as they did their work… So as I sat there in my mom’s office (her doctors office) with nothing to do (can’t go outside; too dangerous), I was bored and panicky! So then that night I prayed with my mom to help me find it but we had come to the conclusion that I had left it in a restaurant the previous night. So, oh well… But the next day when searching I found it inside my pant pocket! This moment marked a new beginning for me and some new inclinations. These new desires included: praying not just because I was told to; learning more about God; and living more as a disciple of Christ should, in general.

For me it was like a field that never grew anything for the longest time because the clouds were in the way. But when the clouds were moved, the sun shined through; and the plants could finally grow tall. The clouds in this illustration represent my doubts about God; and when I finally started to put my faith in Him–a wind (the Holy Spirit) came and blew the clouds away.

Now, I am no longer ashamed of being a Christian. And my relationship with my parents and God has taken a positive turn. But my hobbies and likes still remain the same. As I still like to paint; still like to swim; still like to play; and still love fun! I still don't read much; I still don't like piano; and I still am quite easily distracted. But I am also starting to read the Bible; and to my surprise–actually find it somewhat interesting. So now that I believe, I know that I am never truly alone. I know that I will always be loved and cared for. I know that I will be going to heaven when I die. And I know that I can live my life to the fullest–as I have eternal life!

Back to 2006 Easter Baptismal.