20 years ago I made a decision that would change my life forever.
My Malaysian-Chinese buddhist parents emigrated to Australia with the hope of “greater opportunity” and even though I grew up in a loving family, I felt something deeper was missing. When a friend mentioned Jesus in the midst of my searching, something sparked in me. It wasn’t a church that “got me”. It wasn’t a set of religious rules I was “feared into following”. It was just Jesus. His name intrigued me and so my journey began.
The more I found out about Jesus, the more I wanted to know Him. He seemed to command respect without demanding it. He seemed to provide strength to others often through gentleness. He often connected with the misfits over the masses and readily showed-up the show-offs.
20 years on and it feels like I’ve just scratched the surface. What a rollercoaster ride. Like a kid in an amusement park, I’ve experienced moments of excitement, inspiration and wonder. But then there have been the darker times. Like a spider I’ve felt stuck in my own web of doubts, fears and past failings interwoven with the pain of politics, the public failings of the church and the wounds of close ones.
Why continue? I can’t help but keep turning my attention back to Jesus. And in the midst of arguably one of the biggest crisis in human history, I am not only reminded of fellow citizens that are sacrificing their lives for other individuals, but the need to look upon the One who chose suffering for the sake of all of humanity.
“...He was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all.”
We need to SEE. I’ve found that when I magnify Jesus, I actually SEE more clearly.
I’m not sure where you at right now but can I invite you to consider shifting your gaze. Not to a church, not to a religion, not to a celebrity but to JUST JESUS. He promises to journey with you. And it’s never too late to start.
Happy Easter and much love to you and your family!
❤️James
