Resting in Wisdom and Love
Joel, 2nd Congregation
Joel
I was born into a Christian family. Growing up, I went to church for the sake of going to church. It was just the right thing to do because that was what “everyone does on a Sunday morning”. I did not have a personal relationship with God. In addition, I used to wrestle with fears and insecurities. I was afraid of people, afraid of dying.
When I was in secondary school, I had a very close friend who was constantly bullied and ostracised by others. He was even abused at home. One day, he attempted suicide but we managed to prevent him from doing so. This incident led me to consider my own life. “Where will I go after I die?” I asked myself.
For several months, I was depressed, fearful and angry. Things reached a head when a relative of mine passed away. I came to an end of myself. I realised my helplessness, and also saw my own sin and need for God’s grace and mercy. I cried out to God for help, asking him to save me from my sins through his Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus came to save sinners like me. He lived a perfect life, and yet he went willingly to the cross. He died as a sacrifice for sin, taking the judgment that I deserved. By believing in Christ, I received new life and forgiveness from God. I no longer had to fear death, because of Jesus’ death and resurrection for me! I wanted God to take control of my life.
After that, I was further comforted by God’s Word, including passages such as Psalm 23:4, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me” and Psalm 139:7-‐12, “Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me”. As I continued to read the Bible, I understood more of what it meant for Jesus Christ to overcome death and how, because of that, I now live and need not fear.
God has been faithful and I always see him working in my life and in the life of others, even in the little things. Indeed, we have a great God in whom we can trust. We need to fear, but we can rest in him—in his wisdom and love. “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” (Psalm 18:2)