Surrendering to Christ

When I was in elementary school back home in Malaysia, I used to attend Sunday School every Sunday morning. Was I a Christian then? No. I believed everything I was told about Christ but that’s about it. I never did anything that would strengthen my faith, and I didn’t know what a relationship with God was all about.

As I grew older, I became less and less involved in the church. Throughout college, I was more of an agnostic, even though I would have claimed to be Christian. I certainly didn’t possess any of the qualities of a Christian.

During my senior year, I met a guy named Ekren Miller. He had just returned from a trip to Europe and had accepted Christ. For some reason, I loved hanging out with him. There was just something about him that interested me. I would always talk to him about matters of faith and religion.

A year ago, I took a class with Ekren on Luther, Calvin and the Reformation. In this class, we studied a substantial number of theological doctrines. As a result of our discussions and time together, we became very good friends. One day he asked me if I would like to join him in a study on the life of Jesus. I agreed. Hey, what the heck, right? Perhaps it was time I looked at the Bible since the only things I knew about the Bible were some stories in the Old Testament and a little about Jesus.

I still remember my first GIG study; it was the parable of the Sower. Back then I didn’t know he was doing a GIG with me. One thing I liked about it was that there was no pressure involved and I felt that he wasn’t trying to “convert” me. I felt comfortable with him and, best of all, he treated me as a friend and a person. I thought that was really cool.

So I began learning about Jesus and what he did. But I was still quite hesitant to commit to God. I started going to church with Ekren last fall as well as attending his Bible study group. It was at the November Getaway Weekend that I finally understood the real story of Jesus. Before that I didn’t know why he died for us. But I was learning that it was because of his love that he died for us, to take on our punishment. This was the biggest eye opener for me. Soon I realized that God really was chasing me down. I got back from the retreat that day and told God, “You know, I surrender. You win and I submit to you.” And that was the most powerful prayer I have ever prayed in my entire life.

Ever since then, my life has totally changed and it has been a blessing. I see things differently now. I recognize that there are many unreached people on campus, especially international students. Currently I am doing a one-on-one GIG with my friend from Korea. I am praying that God will open up his heart and will give me the wisdom and patience I need.

Some days, I struggle in my faith. Being a new Christian, I find myself reverting to my old lifestyle. But thanks be to God! I know he is always there to comfort and protect me. As I share the Good News with others, I know it is not my job to convert people. That is God’s job. My life turned around because Ekren did a GIG with me. And now I realize how important GIGs are in introducing other people to Jesus and his love.

—Eu Kit Lim is a student at Bemidji State University (MN). He is from Malaysia.