God’s Relentless Pursuit: Lie Leng’s Testimony
By Chew Lie Leng
Thirty-three years ago, I left Singapore as a young 19 year old for my undergraduate studies in the United States. One of my best friends, Prisca Ko, wrote me a farewell card then. In it, she invited me to explore Christianity and accept Christ. I was not ready then.
An excerpt of my letter to my friend Prisca in 1987. In it, I mentioned that I had sometimes given thought about the question of religion and life after death though I hadn’t found answers yet at that point.
Despite having grown up in a family which practised ancestor worship, my parents sent my sister and me to a Christian-affiliated kindergarten, perhaps because it was nearby and ran a good programme. Like my sister, I then went on to attend a Catholic girls’ school - St. Nicholas Girls’ School – for my primary and secondary education.
I considered myself a “free thinker” even though I had several close friends who were Christians. My sister also accepted Christ in her mid-20s, after she married one. Being a strong and independent person, I had never felt the need for help, or to hear and learn about the Word of God.
My journey towards embracing Christianity likely started when my sister was posted to Bangkok to work in 2017 or 2018. By then, although we had been close when we were younger and I had always looked up to her, we had drifted apart due to different lifestyles and schedules which resulted in little time to bond.
That changed after I brought my aging mother to visit her in Bangkok on 2 or 3 occasions. Each time we bid farewell, my sister would ask me to stand with her and pray for me; she would ask God to bless and watch over my family and meI, and for Him to touch us with his great Love.
I would invariably break down in tears when she did so. At the same time, I could not help but feel an inexplicable sense of warmth and comfort within me. I felt a sudden closeness to my sister – a precious thing that had seemed lost for years, and that something was urging me to make the effort to reconnect with her. I just had the sense that things were going to be fine.
Looking back, I believe it was God trying to reach out to me. Thus in May 2019, when my close friend Prisca invited me to the “Celebration of Hope” event, I was ready to accept her invitation so that I can learn more about God and His ways. It was during this event that I met my sister’s friend, Geok Cheng, who had attended with my sister. She was a new believer then. Over lunch, she shared with me her journey towards becoming a Christian, despite her being a staunch Buddhist previously. Like me, she was hesitant about changing her faith as her family elders still practised Buddhism and were engaged in various religious rites. She has left that behind and convinced me to do likewise and trust that God would show us the way.
While it has been only months since I started going to church, as well as enrolling in a care group, I feel that the experience has already changed my attitude towards life and made me a better person.
Where I used to be easily agitated when things do not turn out the way I expect, I have learned to control my negative emotions, and am more at peace as a result. For God taught us (James 1:19): “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry”. I have learnt to accept failures better, knowing God has his reasons or plan for it being so.
At the Celebration of Hope 2019. L-R: Geok Cheng, Kim Ling, myself, Prisca
And as in 1 John 1:9 , we are assured of his forgiveness if we confess our sins. I have also begun to learn to forgive others who have wronged or offended me. Letting go of the past, looking to God in order to forgive, I realised I have found my portion in Christ.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 says “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heaven.”
Thirty-three years ago as I waved goodbye to my sister and Prisca, as well as several others at the airport, religion was far from my thoughts. I’m grateful that the two of them did not give up on me over the years, and for taking the time and effort to teach me about God and the bible. With their help, I have accepted Christ in my heart and discovered His grace and everlasting love.
About the writer
Chew Lie Leng currently worships at Christ Methodist Church. She is the younger sister of Chew Kim Ling, who worships at Trinity Methodist Church and is the chairperson of the Witness & Evangelism ministry here.