God Chose Me First

Growing up in Bandung, Indonesia, I often wondered about the future. What could I expect from my life? What lay ahead for me?

I pondered the pattern that I could predictably follow. I would grow up. I would go to church. I would go to school. Eventually, I would go through high school, get my diploma and graduate. I might go on to university or other higher education. Then I might get married and have a family. And then I would die.

Life seemed pretty short that way. There might be different landmarks along the way, but looking at what could be considered a “normal life” I had to ask: “Is that all there is?”

I was very disappointed. I knew there had to be some higher purpose–some reason that Crissy existed in this world. I entertain myself a lot, but in a good way–I just wanted to have fun and enjoy what my life appeared to be. I had no real sense of commitment.

But even my home began to seem too small for me. As much as I knew that there had to be more to my life than what I was living, I knew there had to be more to my world than just Indonesia. I was looking for answers. I was seeking direction.

About a year ago, my cousin invited me to an event, more like a ‘concert’. I love music, so I said, “Sure. Why not?”

As the music played, I noticed a man standing in the crowd. He had his hand above his head and he was holding a book. “I know the plan for your life,” he declared confidently.

This certainly got my attention, but I was a little displeased. How did he know the plan for my life–for anybody’s life?

“I know God’s plan for your life!”

God’s plan? For my life? I had to have that book!

I approached him after that event and asked: “The book that you had in your hand–can I buy it?”

“What book?” he responded.

“The book that you had–that you said had the plan for my life!”

“Oh,” he replied. “You mean the Bible.”

The Bible? I stared at him. But I already had the Bible. I had grown up in a Christian home–a nice church and all the nice Christian activities. I knew that there was someone out there far bigger than myself, but beyond that I hadn’t seem to realize much meanings in my life.

I thought that this man was offering the blueprint I had been looking for, but it was a book I already knew. Or did I?

“I already have the Bible,” I said.

“Have you ever read it?” he asked me. That was a challenge I could not ignore. I had gone to Sunday School and read the Bible “here and there”, but did I really BELIEVE it?

“Do you know what you will happen to you when you die?” he asked.

“Yea, a bit,” I replied. “I mean, no one can know.” I was fairly skeptical. I grew up in a religious home, but all my friends were religious too. I rarely believe in absolutes.

“The Bible says that you can. Do you think that God would lie to you?”

“No,” I said. “But you might.”

Patiently, he showed me the verses in the Bible that explained that Jesus Christ had died to give me ETERNAL life. I could know with certainty what would happen to me not only in this life, but after my death. Jesus–the one and only way to God–had already paid for my sins.

All these years I had been devoting my whole life to Him, I knew He died for me thousand years ago but my life was still simply like those unbelievers, though not that direct. 

Jesus died for me. The life that I looked ahead to with such apathy was so important to Him that He gave His life for me. He chose me.

I gave my life to Christ that night. I knew that I had found the destiny that I had been seeking. I know now that I’m more than just an insignificant speck among so many. Christ gives my life purpose and meaning–my relationship with Him provides the significance that I once believed could not exist.

Take a look at your life.  How would you describe it? Contented? Rushed? Exciting? Stressful? Moving forward? Holding back? For many of us it’s all of the above at times.  There are things we dream of doing one day, there are things we wish we could forget.  In the Bible, it says that Jesus came to make all things new.  What would your life look like if you could start over with a clean schedule?

Living with hope If you are looking for peace, there is a way to balance your life. No one can be perfect, or have a perfect life. But every one of us has the opportunity to experience perfect grace through a personal relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ. You can receive Christ right now by faith through prayer. Praying is simply talking to God. God knows your heart and is not so concerned with your words as He is with the attitude of your heart.

“Lord Jesus, I want to know you personally. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life to you and ask you to come in as my Savior and Lord. Take control of my life. Thank you for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Make me the kind of person you want me to be.”
(Our Daily Bread)

Does this prayer express the desire of your heart? You can pray it at any time, and Jesus Christ will come into your life, just as He has promised. 

Is this the life for you?

If you invited Christ into your life, thank God often that He is in your life, that He will never leave you and that you have eternal life. As you learn more about your relationship with God, and how much He loves you, you’ll experience life to the fullest. His promises are sure.. He loves you more than your earthly father does and He wants each of us to receive the best thing He could give! :D