J would like to share her testimony as an encourage to those who are wondering if they sowing is making a different.
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Over the past 10 years, a particular colleague S would randomly come to me and ask me about various responses I have as a Christian to different topics. (eg Parenting, conflict management etc..)
7 years ago, when both my parents and grandparents passed
away in very close proximity of each other, this colleague was also aware and
observed that I was still able to keep a very peaceful and positive attitude at
work and in life. She came and asked me how I can still remain hopeful despite
the multiple losses and was curious what is a Christian’s perspective on death
and living, and I was able to share with her about a concept of Eternity, and
how we are spirit beings, not just human beings and how there is no fear of
death because it is merely a gateway to become even more present fully with
Christ.
Over time, she continues to randomly come to me and ask me
questions about my faith, life and decision making from Christian perspective.
I have to disclaimer that I don’t work very closely with her
due to different nature of our work and our personalities are very different, so I don’t actively approach her to
interact. However she being very extroverted always comes to me, and by the
grace of God I was able to engage in conversation with her, despite my
limitations. I think it is all God’s work in using what little energy I can
give to Him as a worship offering and use those times to do His work in her heart.
Fast forward to Jan 2024, S came very
energetically to me and told me she has been invited by another friend to bible
study last month and she has been attending that bible study regularly. She was open to that invitation because of
the conversations we have been having & she now has even more questions
about God, about sin, and the whole redemption plan, and she feel she really
need to find out what is the purpose of life. I invited her to ALPHA in April,
which she signed up but was unable to come due to business travels.
However, God is beyond our programs and plans, and God is
always at work, not just through 1 person or 1 church but all his people. Between
Jan – June, Another colleague happen to attend the same church where S was
attending the bible study found out about S’s seeking and continue to encourage
her to continue the bible study and explained more things with her.
Now in Aug 2024, S shares she is ready to attend church service in earnest and wants
to grow in her belief and faith. She found a church near her home in the West and consulted me and the other colleague to ensure it is a legit church.
We are also thankful for this Baptist church for her hospitality to her and
setting up a new life class just for her! At the office, S has even set up
monthly discipleship lunch meetings to discuss her growth and seek
guidance!
I hope this testimony encourage those who are not really
experiencing big and miraculous happenings in your outreach efforts. God is not
in a hurry, but God is also always at work. Sometimes it is not obvious but every
interaction is not out of God’s awareness, but can become a divine appointment
even when we don’t see it that way. My journey with this colleague has been
over 10 years but on hindsight, every single one of that interaction in those
10 years has been God preparing her heart, but also showing me how He is in
every detail of our lives, every moment of every day.
Galations 6:9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for
at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Also, remember that it’s not about your efforts, but God is working through all
the resource and his kingdom people all over to reach individuals and meet them
in their lives. Whether we are sowing or reaping what others have sown, we all
share in the same rejoicing when there is a harvest for eternal life.
John 4:36: Even now the one who reaps draws a wage and
harvests a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper
may be glad together.
