Up to this point, I did not really understand the Christian message. When I was still a kid, I got invited to a neighbor's house a couple of times when the family was holding a prayer service. All I knew was that the adults had become Christians. I did not mind the seemingly-strange, loud, emotional praying I heard, because all the kids got to eat a lot of candies.
After I entered graduate school, I met Harry who oversaw the InterVarsity Christian Fellowship ministry on campus. Harry was different from all the other guys I knew. He was always cheerful, dressed simply, and did not even own a watch. I got to know him quite well. He started to pray for me. At the same time, I met other Christian students that showed their joyful faith. The timing was right. One day I decided to accept Christ as my Lord and Savior too. I did this in my own apartment on my knees. Then I called up my Christian friends and we got together to celebrate the occasion. The belief at the time was that once you have accepted Jesus into your life, you are born again and saved forever. Naturally, the emotional release felt was tremendous. The feeling was that I had finally left the chaos of an unsettling, stormy life behind and entered a safe shelter.
I'd like to point out that Harry was the one who basically brought me to Christ by being a good model. Advice: If you hope to convert someone, never argue or ask pointedly if he or she has been saved. Never exhibit a "holier-than-thou" attitude or proclaim self-righteousness. Here is your chance to practice being humble.
No comments:
Post a Comment