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A couple of days ago I came across the "prologue" section of Josh McDowell's book entitled "More Evidence That Demands A Verdict". This book basically documents the research that the author has personally done (previously an atheist), that how in the attempt to prove the falsity of the claims of Christ, he himself turned a believer.

His prologue section is entitled "He Changed My Life", in which the author writes about his journey in becoming a Christian.

Frankly... I think majority of the people don't exactly have very exciting "conversion" experiences.

I didn't. :P

It was very much a cognitive response back then (five years ago) to believe in my mind how God has a wonderful plan for each of us and how we are born to have that intimate relationship with Him... how because of sin our relationship was severed... and how God loves us so much He provided His own Son as the sacrificial lamb... and how we can be reconciled back to Him simply by faith.

I don't really know why I didn't question that much. Perhaps that's why faith was my number one gift out of the spiritual gifting test that I first took back then... and it's remained consistent over the years.

Change doesn't come overnight. But if I may cast an evaluation over the past five years of my life, I can name this entry as that... and aptly so.

I used to be quite a people person as a primary school student, being a monitor in lower primary and subsequently a head prefect in my upper primary school days. I can still remember how I was often the rowdiest in the midst of group tuition and how I got myself involved in activities and such...

That somehow changed as I grew... and now that I've reflected on it (actually I've been reflecting upon it for a long time), I think I know the reason for the change... but yeah. That's personal. :)

I grew into a really quiet and withdrawn person in secondary school and subsequently junior college. I would try to make myself obscure and always held reservations when it came to talking to people... giving presentations in front of a huge group was equivalent to asking me to commit suicide. (hur hur hur) And yeah. I became pretty sensitive and would often be aware of how I'm being looked upon by others.

But I guess the best part of me knowing Him as my Lord and Savior was His timing. I wouldn't have known then... but I was really at a defining and pivotal transition period into the army when He found me.

I can't imagine going through that period of time without Him... or rather, without knowing Him.

My lifestyle would have been totally different now if things didn't happen the way it is. Sometimes I wish I can muster up enough courage to share things that are more personal... but well. Perhaps in the future... but for now, let's just say that things will be entirely different with Him out of the picture.

And it's been an amazing five years... and I'll look forward to many more to come... till He calls me home.

Sometimes I wonder if there're people out there who'll actually like to know God but they're generally inapt of expressing that desire... well. If you happen to be one, allow me to let you know that He's ever there waiting for you to experience Him. There may be many myths clouding the road (that Christianity is an ang moh (english) religion, that I have to disown and dishonor my parents, that I have to go to church)... but simply put.

God loves you.

And He just hopes that you'll return to that intimate and real relationship with Him.

By faith.

And it is left for you to grow and experience the realness of Him working in your life after that... if you so desire.

And there's nothing more than saying a heartfelt prayer to ask Jesus into your life. No formula... no prerequisites after you've taken the step of faith to pray.

Even if your heart says otherwise but you cognitively says yes, I believe and I want Jesus in my heart, He'll take that and slowly work His way into your heart as long as it's your desire to know Him.

I've never done this on my site here before... but if you've come to a point where you'll like to receive this life changing relationship and yet not knowing if you can fully trust, allow me to provide a prayer in which you can say to Him. Don't pray religiously... pray as though to your bestest friend:

Jesus, I have heard of you here and there as I grew up... but I never really gave a thought of acknowledging the things that you've done are for me. This day I come before you... and though there may be doubts in my heart still, I am willing to take this step of faith to ask of you to come into my life and reveal yourself to me as I get to know you better in time to come.

Thank you for what you have done on the cross for all my sins, big and small. I invite you to enter into my life as both my Savior and my Lord... and I ask that you will show me more of you in time to come. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

And know that all heavens are rejoicing over one that was lost but is found.

Even if you're the only one.

:)

Tell a Christian you know if you've prayed to receive Jesus into your life... do drop me an email to let me know of this joyous piece of news as well... and if you don't mind, I definitely won't mind sharing with you more of the things you can do next. :)