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The Sweet Church LifeI grew up in a Christian family, therefore, the concept of God and of believing in God were just a part of me and I never had a doubt about it. I received the Lord personally when I was twelve at a summer camp. I confessed my sins to the Lord Jesus and asked Him to forgive me and cleanse me of my sins. I was crying but the Lord Jesus filled me with joy and peace. I felt completely released from all the bondage. That experience was so real and wonderful that it became a solid foundation for my Christian life. However, during my college years, I was carried away from the Lord by the college life. Like many other young people in school, I had so many expectations and dreams for my college life and even for my future, that I decided that I would spend my time on my own business rather than on the Lord Jesus. The result was that I had a fun time during those four years. However those years turned out to be a dry and miserable nightmare to me because I realized that all that I was doing and all that I was pursuing and holding onto was vanity. I felt so empty inside. Then I remembered the joy and peace which I used to have in the Lord Jesus. So, I turned my heart to the Lord again and I knew that this was the only thing that could satisfy my longing heart and bring back the real meaning of my human life. Thank the Lord for His mercy. I started meeting with the local church in Pittsburgh. I was going to graduate school and living with three other Christian sisters in a Christian couple's home. We had dinner together twice a week, and often we would get together and read the Bible, sing hymns, or study the truth. One night we read an article written by Watchman Nee called “And Peter”. It talked about how after Peter failed a test and denied the name of the Lord Jesus three times how Peter must have been very disappointed, frustrated and even shameful, not knowing how to face the Lord again. When the Lord resurrected, however, He told Mary to tell His brothers about His resurrection then he particularly mentioned the name, “and Peter.” This shows that He didn't judge or blame Peter but forgave him and still loved him. That article was such a comfort to me after being so long lost in this world. There are lots of families with young children in the church in Pittsburgh and they are like a big family to me. It is so enjoyable to see the eight year old and and ten year old kids sing praises to the Lord and everyone just genuinely loving the Lord and being attracted by the Lord. There are no rituals or formality in the meeting but only the expression of our love and praise to the Lord. The couple whom I was living with also impressed me a lot with their living. They were so filled with Bible truth and the experience of the Lord that I got much help from them. It was truly wonderful meeting with the local church. I love the Lord and the church His body. Making Progress in My Christian Life The first time I tried to have my own Bible reading schedule was when I was eleven. I started from the first book of the Bible--Genesis. They were very nice stories and I enjoyed reading them. Even though I understood them in a very shallow way, I knew in those stories there were many warnings and teachings to the children of God that should be applied to me. However, those long stories didn't keep my interest for too long. When I was in 2 Chronicles, I finally gave up this project of reading the Bible regularly because I couldn't understand lots of the name, places, and years in them. A similar thing happened when I read the New Testament. At times I even thought that not every part of the Bible was that good or worthy of my time to read it since I wouldn't be able to understand it anyway. I guess at that time I was just too young to realize what a wonderful book the Bible is. As I was grew older, I started reading some of the books written by Witness Lee and Watchman Nee. I especially appreciate that they themselves had so many precious experiences of Christ and was impressed with their maturity in Christ. Every time I read their writings, I get the supply of life. I always can get more of Christ. They are focused on Christ, their center is Christ, and this ministry brings me to turn to Christ as well. I know that I lack many things. I am short of this divine life growing in me, and I am short of the knowledge of truth. Sometimes I just don't know how to go on in my Christian life. I really thank the Lord for this ministry and for the privilege that I can read this ministry because it opens a way onward every time. It has caused my love for the Lord and my knowledge of the Lord to grow. Thank the Lord! Cherry Wu | Back to List |
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