"A Resolute Decision Without Regret" - Permai Snapshot #50 (Mar-Apr 2022 Issue)

Permai Snapshot

Issue 50 Mar/Apr 2022

A Resolute Decision Without Without Regret Regret By: Kong Pei San, Clover

Translated by: Tan Chien Chin

I briefly remember when I was a teenager, I swore to my Christian friend, "My family worships ancestors, and it is impossible for me to become a Christian."

More than ten years later, I resolutely decided to be a child of God on Easter Day. Even after the baptism, I never regretted the decision.

I come from a small city in central Sarawak, Sarikei. The place is simple and quiet, the weather is calm, and the people there live and work in peace and contentment. It is a good place for a restful life. Most of the people there are Christians, but not our family. Just like most Chinese, my family practises the custom of offering sacrifices to our ancestors. During festivals, my family will worship ancestors, and my parents will occasionally go to the temple to offer incense. How can such a family lead me to believe in the Lord? However, God always works in miraculous ways.

The journey God planned for me When I was in Standard 6, I often heard from my friends that they would go to Sunday School on Sundays, and there were many games and gifts in Sunday School. I didn't even know what Sunday school was, but when children hear about games and gifts, wouldn’t they all like it? Hence, I envied them that they could go to Sunday School.

My secondary school was a Catholic high school. Every morning, the seniors would read the Bible, pray and recite the book of Acts through broadcast. Day after day as these prayer verses were repeated in my ears, my mind would mechanically recite the book of Acts. But I just didn't know what it meant.

During tertiary, there were only two Christians in my class. As I had nothing to do on weekends, I followed them to church every Sunday. At that time, I felt that going to church on a Sunday was to fill up the free time I had. Furthermore, I could take a free ride to the city, which was much better than staying in the dormitory. Although I had been to the church for several years, I still didn’t know much about the Bible and church, and I never really wanted to understand it.

When I first started my job, I still went to church. But, I was no longer going to church aimlessly. As I grew up, I experienced many partings and choices in life. When faced with these challenges, many times I would rely on my own methods to solve the problem. Yet in reality, I could not solve all problems in my own ways. Then, what could I do? Occasionally, a voice will speak to my mind, "Leave it to God". As I entrusted it to God, I found that although the problem was not solved immediately, God would send angels to guide me. Gradually, I began to earnestly explore the importance of faith in my life. I started to think about the topic of the sermons. I started to participate in a few ministries in the church, and I started to think about my future beliefs.

God, in fact, had chosen me to be His child since I was a kid.

God, had planned the best for me.

God, from the beginning till the end, He has never given up on me.

Becoming a child of God I took 16 years to open up my heart to accept the Lord as my personal Saviour.

Although it took me so long to accept God, God never gave up on me. Every step I took had been prepared by God, and He personally guided the path ahead of me. All these are God's best plan. In my fourth year at the Permai Chinese Methodist Church (Permai Church), I decided to become a child of God. After my baptism, when I partook in the holy communion for the first time, I shed tears in silence. When I gazed at the cup and bread in my hand, I realised that this journey was all led by God. It turns out that this is the reason why the Lord has shed His blood to redeem us, sinners. I am so unworthy, yet the Lord Jesus was willing to die for me. In the days to come, despite the hardships and challenges that I encounter, I know that as long as I follow God closely, I can witness everything He has prepared for me.

Many teachings in the scriptures are not there just for us to know or read; it must be practised in our lives, so we could understand the word of God better. I vividly remembered an elderly once shared, “When God blesses us, we use this blessing to bless more people who need to be blessed.” Only through serving, we are able to see the inadequacies and needs of others, and you will know the mission that God wants you to accomplish.

The journey of serving After becoming a Sunday School teacher, I learned many Bible stories. God asked me to participate in this ministry to make up for the regret of not having the opportunity to attend Sunday School when I was a child.

Due to the pandemic, the church was unable to conduct physical Sunday School.

I really miss the children's noises, and the lively atmosphere!

Being a member of the kitchen logistics team, I had the opportunity to serve with brothers, sisters and families of different ages. The kitchen in Permai Church is a place where brothers and sisters can build relationships.

Being a vocalist in the worship team, I love watching the reaction of the congregation. Songs and music can soften people's hearts. God created music and allowed people to praise Him with it; the time of worship and praise goes both ways God is with us, and we respond to His love with songs and praises.

Being a proofreader in the Literature and Communication Ministry, I have the privilege to review testimonies of people's faith through the writers’ lens. The power of words is far beyond what we can see with our eyes. The value of life contained in words could transform people's lives.

In the journey of serving, I am very grateful to have a group of brothers and sisters who support each other all the time. Because of everyone's willingness and selfless dedication, we have accomplished many seemingly impossible tasks.

Challenges, laughter and even tears while serving are the best harvest and growth for us on the journey of faith

Following God closely Accepting the Lord and becoming a Christian does not mean that our life will be smooth sailing, so we can live a carefree life from then on. When we are thrown into a difficult situation, we will complain and blame God. However, have you ever thought that during this difficult situation, you are not really alone? God is always there. As long as you are willing to commit, God will definitely guide you. Even now, I still encounter some extraordinary students and parents, and perplexed by many incomprehensible educational policies in my teaching journey. There are still many trivial things to be sorted in my life, and I started to experience some health conditions as I grow older.

However, this will not make me give up on God. On the contrary, I will put God in the centre of my life, follow him, and let Him be my light.

Becoming a child of God is a resolute decision that I do not regret.

April 1, 2018 On Easter Sunday, I made this decision of no regrets and became a child of God!

With the gifts and blessings God gave me, I worked together with other brothers and sisters to prepare some hand-made hair ties and sent it to Cambodia through the mission team, along with blessings!

None of us is perfect, but we are willing to commit ourselves to praise and glorify God's name!

Editor: Ocean Chan ▪ Proofreaders: Deborah Chow, Choo Ting Hou ▪ Designer: Joan Cheong Please send articles & feedback to: permaisnapshot@gmail.com Interested to join the editorial team? Scan the ministry QR code or speak to us at 016-3374560