Contributed by Adeliyn Lim • Nov 21, 2023
Second generation Christians are no better than first generation Christians. As much as our parents wish to pass on their faith to the next generation, reality is we all need to have our own “come to Jesus” moment.
I remember my “come to Jesus” moment. The KL Methodist Youth Fellowship (KLMYF) was “family” at the time to me, even though they did not know what a teenage girl, just moved to the city without her siblings navigating a completely new environment was going through. Even though I had rejected God due to past hurts and was waiting to get to university just so that I don’t have to go to church for my parents’ sake anymore, the love of Christ in KLMYF at the time was so powerful and real. Subsequently friendships were made and I was able to let go of some of my resentment because I understood that it was people that caused me pain instead of God.
I have had many “families” since then. Each of them ministered to me, and I was also able to contribute back to them in the churches and ministries I had the privilege of being a part of over the course of my studies, career and circumstances. Were there disappointments? Sure! But the community of Christ always made a way for us to continue being compassionate, being humble before God and each other, and persist through whatever situation we were in and have our “come to Jesus” moments. It never fails to amaze me to hear years down the road about what I thought I or my group did wasn’t very significant, but was a Christ moment for someone.
Echoing what Jim Yost shared over the weekend, it has been shown time and again that the community of Christ, when walking right in Christ, can do many good things for the people in them, the people around them and the people beyond their circles. It affects the individual, the “family” group, even the places where people may not have found a “family”. In the busyness of life, let’s choose to be a “family” – to have a heart of compassion, a humble heart, and persist in continuing doing Christ’s work. Being a faceless person lowering a paralysed man from a roof may seem thankless, but you never know just how many will hear that paralyzed man’s story and have their “come to Jesus” moment because of what you chose, and continue to choose to be a part of.
If you are not yet part of a “family”, consider being part of one in shared need, interest or purpose with the goal of Christ in mind. Stop thinking about formats and planning. Look and build connections that move the heart. Be the family to the ones who need it.