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More to life than sports
by Kelvin Wong, as told to Laurie Wang
I had lost 50 pounds and weighed a mere 93 pounds at age 38. Lying on the hospital bed, I knew I was sick, very sick—to the point where doctors were telling my family to prepare for the worst.
I had dermatomyositis, a connective-tissue disease that is characterized by inflammation of the muscles and skin. Symptoms include severe skin rash and progressive muscle weakness. I knew then and there that the sincere efforts by the physicians were futile. Only God could save me now.
All (my teenage) days, I dreamed about sports
You see, as a teenager, sports was my life. I went to Sunday School as a child but by the time I was in my teens, I was a wide-eyed adolescent who loved, played and watched all types of sports. Basketball, football, running, hockey — you name the sport, I played and watched it.
Obviously sports were more important to me than God and Christianity. And it remained this way for the next 25 years.
The healing of my life
At age 38 when my body was failing me, God became real to me. He was real all along, but I didn’t realize it until then. The sudden illness led to the healing of my life.
I realized that my attempts to "will" myself better were useless. I finally understood that I was not the one in control or that I even deserved life. I further came to the realization that I was nothing and conceded to God, for him to do with my life as he pleased, to let me die or whatever he wanted. I knew then that when I wanted to be in control of my life, my life became out of control.
God graciously answered my prayer that night and replied in specific terms for me to hear. He told me I would recover; I would serve him by helping others and feel joy doing this; and I would come to live life with peace.
Needless to say I was stunned, but overjoyed, yet confused how God had come to me. God doesn’t have to reply in specific terms to show he is real to people, but I think for me, it was what I needed at that very time.
Life continues, and so does the journey
I began to read the Bible in the hospital to try to make sense of God's reply to me. I got better and God showed me his power and healing. However, it was not until I was released from the hospital and began to seek God through things like the Alpha program (an introduction to Christian faith), prayer, reading the Bible, and Sunday church services that I began to fully understand and appreciate God’s reply to me in the hospital.
God created my life and he loves me. He gave his only son Jesus Christ to die on the cross for our sins—the times I lied, cheated, was selfish…the list goes on. Christ rose again after three days. I believe this and accept God’s gift of grace, eternal life and a fulfilling relationship with God.
Looking back, my life was stalled as a teenager ignoring God. Through my illness, I am finally starting to know, grow and mature in Christ. Looking forward, I choose a life with God.
What about you?
You can receive Christ right now by faith through prayer. Praying is simply talking to God. God knows your heart and is not so concerned with your words as he is with the attitude of your heart. Here's a suggested prayer:
Lord Jesus, I want to know you personally. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life to you and ask you to come in as my Savior and Lord. Take control of my life. Thank you for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Make me the kind of person you want me to be.
~Laurie Wang graduated from the University of Alberta with a B.A. in English and she has a diploma in Journalism. Wang is a regular emcee at various events where she translates politicians' speeches and continues to practice her public speaking skills. As a big fan of hockey, sleep and rare steak, this writer thinks there’s no such thing as too much of the three.