I first came to know about God during school, as I went to a Catholic school for my primary and secondary education. In both cases, I was taught Religious Studies and attended mass as part of the school year. My parents, themselves, were not particularly religious, but occasionally we attended church as a family. Despite knowing about Jesus and God, my days of believing I was a Christian were short-lived when I went to university.
At university, I found lots of distractions that convinced me I did not have time for religion. Church became a building I visited abroad when it was a must-see attraction. To my surprise however, I often found myself talking with God and from it, a presence that would comfort and dampen my anxieties.
Only until late last year (2019), did I find God again after I was invited by my friend to her church to celebrate her daughter’s first birthday. During the sermon, I felt everything being said related to me, and that same presence that would comfort me before, would become too overwhelming to manage. I was able to control my emotions the first time but soon tears became uncontrollable and unstoppable when I attended more services at Salvation Church (SC).
I realised that this was part of God’s healing, because I felt lost and unsure of many things in life at the time. Even though learning about God through church had brought this stillness and calmness in me, part of me remained sceptical of my faith. Saying the Sinner’s Prayer was a catalyst for me to accept and convert the knowledge of God from head to heart.
After saying the Sinner’s Prayer and asking God for forgiveness, I have now stopped crying in sermons (fist pump). In my daily walk with God, He has given me positivity and hope for the future. Also, the courage to take the leap of faith in a new adventure, where my secondary school’s motto: Serviam, will be at the centre of my life.
I end my testimony by wanting to say a special thanks to the sisters and brothers at SC, who have helped me on my journey. And, to the little girl, whose innocent birthday party turned into something else for me, thanks to you and her mum for inviting me.