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New Glasses
In sixth grade, the nurse at my elementary school discovered that I was nearsighted. She sent me off to see the optometrist, and within one short hour, I received my first pair of eyeglasses. At school, I still recall the dramatic experience of clarity. For the first time, the words were distinguishable on the chalkboard. The basketball rim, which had once only been a fuzzy orange line, had sharpness to the edge. Hockey was a transformed sport for me, since I now chased a puck instead of people. I was elated and surprised by the effect, not realizing what I had missed.
Recently, I have begun to compare this memory to my Christian experience. I grew up in a Christian home, where prayer was mandatory and Bible stories were read to me at an early age. This gave me a firm impression of the Bible being a book of wonderful historical accounts, full of colorful characters and of a greater being called God. I still consider biblical stories to be wonderful and interesting. However, the significance of the Bible escaped me, and consequently I failed to develop a deeper appreciation of the Scriptures. They remained letters to me, but I had not found the living Word.
I am now in my late twenties and hold a bachelor's degree in business as well as a professional designation in accounting. I began to realize the inadequacy of my Christian experience and the uncertainty of my beliefs while working. Attempts at speaking about my faith to a few friends and colleagues revealed to me that I did not know the Bible or even the Lord Jesus in a deeper way. Previously, I had always accepted the vagueness of my beliefs. However, I was tired of hearing about Jesus, without really knowing Him. I began seeking. Approximately two years ago, when I began to enjoy the ministry of Watchman Nee and Witness Lee, the Bible began to be open to me in a revolutionary way. Napoleon Bonaparte once declared that his generals considered the Bible as black and white letters, but he considered the Bible to be a living Person. This has been my experience of having the Bible opened up to me by these two Christian writers. God is not just a greater being outside of me, but He is a wonderful Person, who, as the life-giving Spirit (1 Corinthians 15:45), indwells my spirit (2 Timothy 4:22). Jesus is a living Person whom I can experience everyday. I can even have a personal and intimate relationship with Him! Experiencing Jesus in the Word and as the Word has been the most important discovery in my Christian walk. Finally, I have my “glasses”, and I am able to see clearly. It has been more thrilling this time around.
A. C. | Back to List
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