Peace and an Abundant Life

8 July 2000

By Benjamin Yeo

While I was seventeen, starting out my first year in my tertiary institute, life became a sore for me. Not only was I a non-conformist, I was also a terrible critic, a cynic and a perfectionist.

The meaning of life was an issue for me. I was bogged down with excessive worries and symptoms of stress affected my lifestyle. At different days, I could be happy but most of the time I was feeling bitter. I felt burnt out while balancing work life and school life. For two years, I was never full of joy after harvesting the extra income to enjoy life.

Social gatherings at the clubs became meaningless and friends were not really friends for their words were brazen and they brushed aside all problems that I was facing. Sure. Not all my friends are like that. Even those, whom I was close to, did not really have an advice that was guaranteed to work. I needed help and at the lowest trough of life, I began to seek God to quench my spiritual needs — an act motivated by a lesson on a managerial theory on the different levels of needs.

The first book I bought about God is entitled "Powerful Prayers" written by Larry King, whose show is highly favored by audiences who are tuned to CNN. The book I read provided insights to what the different faiths' perspective on God. I was confused at the differences. In distress, I spoke to my classmates, and had this strange urgency to go to church. Ironically, I went up to my enemy whom she later brought me to Church.

Battling an oppressed mind, I went to Church with her for the fourth service. The pastor was preaching his word and my needs were ministered. I was awestruck by God's wisdom. I did not understand the entire sermon but the needs I was facing was assured, comforted and probably I didn't even know my soul was refreshed too. An altar call was sent forth at the close of the service. While the pastor summoned for lost souls who are in darkness and needed help, my heart was overwhelmed with love and I hid my tears as I sobbed silently. As I was about to raise my hand, my enemy, helped me extend fully much to my surprise.

I have made Lord Jesus my saviour. His peace reigns in my heart and life is more abundant — a promise which holds true. My walk in life is blessed and it surely is amazing how God reconciles enemies too.

May His love fill you.