Recently, my friend M got baptized, and she told me that it was partially because she saw the goodness of my God. She is my classmate and so we have the same overwhelmed papers to write every week. Every week, we have to spend two days for four courses and three days for internship, and the only free time—the evenings and weekends have to be spent on the homework, like the endless papers. Even the American students were usually stressed out; let alone our international students who have the language barrier to overcome. Therefore, my Chinese classmates often asked me what made me look happy and energetic when they were exhausted and depressed. I told them, I have God with me. Later, I did not even need to answer, and they answered for me, “Because you have God with you, right? Got it!” But I knew that they admired my good moods.
They were astonished when I first told them that I was baptized as a Christian, but now they admire my Lord. I did not preach them, but I am a vessel of Jesus. The light of Lord flows out through vessels.
M had a sad experience recently and seriously hurt herself by taking six pills one night. She was sent to the emergency room by her roommates and then recovered fortunately. Later, I went to visit her. She said, when I see you, I do think, we people need a belief. I just like your attitude toward life. Laughing at any trouble and difficulty and being optimistic to everything. Then she got baptized the next day.
I am not saying this for my honor, but want to share my feeling that we are vessel of our God, that God saves people through us. People can feel the love, care, happiness when we love, care people and enjoy life. “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” (MATTHEW 5:16)
I remember a book I read before which is called Finding Fish. The main character in this book, Fish, grows up in a foster care home, and is physically abused by his foster parents who are Christian. Even though Fish goes to church every Sunday, he believes that his foster parents’ God must be an evil one. He hates his parents’ evil behaviors towards him and so he hates their God. However, many years later, he meets a teacher who cares him, respects him and teaches him interesting knowledge, and it is from this teacher he finds the Love and strength from God.
We may not be evil like that, but please think about ourselves. Have we judged people; have we complained the difficulties we met; have we frowned before men; have we showed our reluctance to help? Then how can we make people believe the joyfulness in God when we look tired or worrisome? How can people sense the love of God when we show our reluctance to help? How can we make people see the wisdom of God when we make judgment on others? Yes, we want to pass on gospels; we need to preach, but at the same time, we need to prepare ourselves, because we are Jesus’ vessels.
Oh, Lord, Jesus! Please make me live myself more like you! Help me to bear the spirit fruits: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control! –T. W