What feelings does the picture above evoke? When I look at the empty church, it reminds me of the emptiness I felt back in 1992. I was at a church service attending my friend’s baptism. It was crowded but at one point, it felt like I was the only one in the service during the altar call. It was a decision I had to make. I didn’t know what the Christian faith was about then but I was still searching.

You see – prior to 1992, one of my sisters suffered from complications post surgery and my father even had the talk with everyone in the family. He wanted us to prepare our hearts. One evening, I prayed to the God of the Bible whom I did not yet know. I asked for her healing and told God that I was willing to trade my life for hers. The next day, she started to get better but I started getting sicker. I thought I was going to die but it turned out to be a bad flu.

We humans tend to forget our promises when things go well, don’t we? It was during the altar call that I was reminded of what I had told God when I prayed for my sister. There I was trying to bargain again, but in a different situation. My mother wasn’t well and was in Shanghai with my father, undergoing treatment. I was home alone, preparing for an exam. He wanted me to offer my life and to follow Him. I thought about what my parents would have said upon finding out my decision and was afraid but it was something I had to do.

The miracle happened only after I obeyed and followed His call. When my parents returned from China, I was told that my mother’s condition was reversible. Not only that, it was amazing that my parents also accepted Jesus Christ during their stay in China. It was the turning point for my entire family. My sisters too, accepted Christ.

Looking back, I continue to be amazed by our wonder-working God. Invisible, but ever so real. He is still our Waymaker today.

What do you give Someone who owns everything?

9 But I do not need the bulls from your barns
    or the goats from your pens.
10 For all the animals of the forest are mine,
    and I own the cattle on a thousand hills.
11 I know every bird on the mountains,
    and all the animals of the field are mine.
12 If I were hungry, I would not tell you,
    for all the world is mine and everything in it.  (Psalm 50:9-12 NLT)

The answer? You give Him your whole heart.

Bible Verse

²⁷ The man answered, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

Luke 10:27 (NLT)