TheStart

Hello bloggers and readers out there, thanks for visiting my humble blog. This page is a dedication about my journey in Christ, and His goodness over my life.

I was born in a Christian family. Since young, I heard stories about God's goodness and the miracles He did in my life. However, I was not really interested in God. I went to church because my family went every Sunday together. I looked forward to play catching with my friends and go for flute classes. At 10 years of age, my family left the church, and I gradually drifted away from God. 

I recalled a time when I was 12 years old. I was temporarily living in a children's dormitory. I came back from school, wanting to change from my school shoes to the slippers my parents had newly bought for me. I realized that it was gone from the common shoe rack. Being young and treating the slippers like my only prized asset, I cried the entire day till I slept, praying hard that God would help me to find them. Funnily enough, I woke up in the morning and found this random boy wearing my slippers. 

This seemingly insignificant moment caused me to realize that God is around and real. I became convicted of my sins. The next day, I spoke with my guardian at length, wanting to dedicate my life to Jesus. From that day on, I had an awareness that God is with me. I did not attend church because of objections, and I slowly drifted again. However, I somehow always knew that God was pursuing me, even when I did not take His words or plans for my life into account.

At 15, I was invited by my senior from secondary school to a barbecue event. When asked if I would want to rededicate my life to Christ, I did so because I did not want to say no. Later, I felt a sense of eagerness to visit a number of times, and started to notice something different in the youths' walks with God, versus mine. While we were all doing our basic daily Christian habits, were discipled by a leader, and equipped with the skills to evangelize, I felt something was missing. I came to understand that those people had a personal encounter with God. 

I had not encountered God personally and did not know what that even looked like. I decided to read the bible more intensively. I found the disciples' lives changed upon encountering Jesus. They never walk the same. God led them to their God-given destinies and used them mightily to be a blessing to this world. Even when they were persecuted till death, they held on to faith so strongly. This amazed me. I really wanted to encounter God for myself.

Fast forward to 17, I had my first encounter with the Holy Spirit. My hands trembled under the power for the whole 2 hours during the service. I went for a prayer after the pastor shared his sermon. Upon being prayed for, I felt a weight, gentle yet firm, pushing me back. I could no longer stand. As I lay on the floor, I saw a white light beam (like a white canvas). That was interesting since the entire hall was dark. For the very first time, I heard this voice in my spirit, which I believe was God, telling me, “Joy, I’m making all things new.”

It was so surreal. He prompted me to make amends and apologise to people whom I have hurt. He placed His passion for the lost, the broken, and I felt an increased boldness to share more about Jesus. He gave me a love for the Word, which fueled my desire to be more like Him, and to journey in times of difficulties.

I am thankful that God is a God of many chances, and He will still love me. I may run away from Him, but He relentlessly pursues me to the end. Indeed,

The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. - 2 Peter 3:9

I am convinced that Jesus is real, and therefore decided to blog about my learning journey with God. Most posts are spontaneous thoughts/reflections from daily life. I hope this blesses and encourages you in your walk with God.

- Joy (Aesther)
A sister-in-Christ