COURAGE TO BE HIS WITNESS
by Hwang Ching Yun
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.�
I found myself listing down five names, then started to pray for them, engage them, and eventually invite them for Celebration of Hope at the National Stadium. Even though only one attended and she did not make the decision to open her heart to Jesus, still I felt God wanted me to carry on witnessing and make it a habit.
One thing I personally grew in last year was the area of witnessing. Witnessing is not new to me because I had learnt how to do it when I was young from the parachurch organization, Youth for Christ.
So, I continued praying and engaging the five I listed for Celebration of Hope. God is so faithful, He answered my prayers. I had fruitful conversations with some family members and visited some relatives. A friend who is very closed to Christianity allowed me to pray for her for the first time in more than 30 years! There have been no conversions yet but I just tell myself not to get discouraged. I just need to do my part and leave the results to God.
But it is an area I find very difficult because I am timid by nature. I am also not gifted at talking. I worked in a mission organization for years as support staff so my excuse was I was playing my part, serving according to my personality and strengths. Witnessing is not my gift so I leave it to others to do, I would often reason. The 2019 Celebration of Hope called on us as individuals and churches to rally together to share about hope in God. Church staff were encouraged to attend the Andrew Initiative training and so I did, with my cell group.
He is amazing. Like Isaiah 43:18,19 which I took to heart, He has made rivers in this desert part of my life, which has been quite dry for so many years. Or if not rivers, at least, a stream or two. I trust that the rivers will come, for He who began a good work in us will bring it to completion (Philippians 1:6). Amen?
But guess what? Inwardly, I was not enthusiastic about going as I have been through such training before. But to my surprise, I found the training very helpful and as I applied what I learnt, God really helped me to start witnessing again.
Ching Yun (back row, extreme right) celebrating Chinese New Year with family in Hua Hin.
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