About 23 months ago, he left home. Not just to study, but also to start over again. Academically and also somewhat in life. Before he left, he went for a great camp. Everything you could look for in a camp --> good friends, nice (enough) accommodation, good worship and of course the Spiritual High one encounters. Fortunately/Strangely, that Spiritual High lived in him for most if not the entire year. In fact, it didn't die down till more than 18 months had passed from that camp.
But you know what they say. People change. Things change. You change. To no surprise, its true. Somehow, he took a wrong turn. Ended up in the wrong path. Going in the wrong direction. What happened? Most would give the standard answer. Church or not serving in Church. However, Christianity is not just a religion. Its not just flaunting your beautiful voice that can hit all the high notes in all the latest songs. Neither is it being able to play various instruments. It is a relationship we as man share with God. That was something he just simply had to understand.
Fortunately, after listening to one of the best sermons ever, he raised his hand during an altar call. Which resulted in him walking to the front of the congregation. Being prayed for and also rededicating his life. That moment is impossible to describe. It is one where you have to encounter for yourself. To experience that fuzzy feeling of His presence. The thing is, its easy to have a Spiritual High and proclaim you'll do everything you can for Him. But how long will that last? We as human beings tire. Be it physically, mentally or spiritually, we have a limit.
This may seem hard to keep up/go on. But He never said being a Christian would be simple and that we wouldn't face obstacles. However, He's omnipresent. He's always beside you. Guiding you, picking you up, spurring you on and no matter what, He loves you. Not just ordinary love. But unconditional love. Which means, even if we fail or stumble, His love still endures. To be close to Him, we have to choose to be. We have to welcome Him into our hearts. Placing Him first before everything. Willing to get out of our comfort zones. Also we have to obey Him. Even if it means we have to do things instantly, or even if there are no benefits, or even if it doesn't make sense, or even when it hurts and also we have to obey Him to completion.
We might say we can't go on, but His grace is sufficient.
(2 Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)
