"I was called and chosen"
By Amit RanjanI CONSIDER MYSELF blessed to be one of those who were called and chosen to serve God. I am an Indian national. I was raised in India, the country known as the cradle of Hinduism, and never did it occur to me that one day I'll change my religion.
During my first visit to the Philippines in February 2001, I was invited to attend a worship service of the Iglesia ni Cristo in Tangub, Negros Occidental. The lesson was preached in the local dialect, while the hymns were sung and the prayers were rendered in Tagalog. This sounded strange to me, But it was an exhilarating experience, I should say, and I noticed right away not only the organized manner of worship but, most of all, the absence of statues, which has been in total contrast to the Hindu worship.
Again, on my return in August 2001, I was able to attend a worship service and the impression I had on my first visit was the same. These visits had exposed me to the Christian belief.
In December 2002, while traveling in Thailand, I was able to go to a congregational worship service in Bangkok where, for the first time, I was able to understand everything that transpired because it was conducted in English although the preaching of the gospel was on video.
In December 2003, I was invited again to attend the worship service of the Iglesia ni Cristo by Sister Rhea Joy C. Jadia, the same person who introduced me to this faith that is far different from what I had grown accustomed to. She was very much devoted to her religion and was very vocal about it that she kept on asking me questions about my Hindu faith. In the process, she managed to make me think things over and it resulted in more unanswered questions regarding the religion and tradition in which I was raised to uphold with no queries.
Starting on January 18, 2004, I attended the worship services on my own but in all those times, I still kept asking myself what I was doing there. I was far from being comfortable. I didn't know anybody. I felt that I was like a stranger surrounded by strangers with a strange faith being preached to me. What I didn't perceive at that time was that God was calling me and He guided my steps to the place of worship on the scheduled time to keep attending the worship services.
After several months of continuous attendance in the worship services, I felt there must be something I needed to discover and so, I prayed to God to show me the reason why I should believe in this Church, when all other religions around the globe also claim that they are of God. I communed with God in prayers, asking Him that if He is true and this faith is true, that He make me feel His presence. By then, I had already learned to say a heartfelt prayer and sing the hymns during the worship services as well.
But I realized that something was still missing. So, I prayed harder and I learned to lean unto God for support, protection, and guidance not only for my professional life but for my personal needs as well and, most of all, to show me the path of His righteousness.
I continued to attend the congregational worship services as well as the Thanksgiving worship services and even the grand evangelical missions. My faith deepened but I was not ready to take the big leap of conversion just as yet. The religion I grew up to was completely different from this newfound religion I was being introduced to. I grew up celebrating grand Hindu festivals, prayed to all Hindu gods (feeling then that my prayers were also heard and answered), followed Hindu traditions, and so on. More than anything else, I loved and respected my parents and the culture which I was raised in. I felt like a huge ingrate if I turned my back on them to embrace a new faith.
When I went back to the Philippines in June 2005, I was able to attend a worship service in Cebu where the house of worship was spacious and worthy of admiration. They had an English worship service, so I was able to actively take part in the service and listen attentively. I also attended a worship service in Caliban, Negros Occidental where the place of worship was comparatively small. After having been to so many congregations, I came to a conclusion: Big or small, admirable or simply humble, whether the gospel is preached in a language I understood or not, all members of the Iglesia ni Cristo are united in spirit in serving the one true God and it left an indelible mark in my heart.
Before I left, Sister Rosemarie C. Jadia, the mother of Sister Rhea, gave me a copy of the Pasugo. She holds several offices in the Church and is also steadfast in her faith. I read the Pasugo, understood it. On the worship service I attended after that, I approached Brother Carlito Y. Matahom Jr., a deacon, and told him of my intention to undergo instruction in biblical doctrines. He introduced me to a minister, Brother Ranilo G. Borrero, who was instrumental in making me understand the true religion. His spiritual guidance enhanced my enthusiasm to get know the Church better, how I could become worthy to be called a member of the Church, and, most of all, how I could give honor and great glory to the one true God.
On July 20, 2005, I began my Bible studies. I felt I was ready to embark on this endeavor of understanding the commandments of God. While undergoing instruction in biblical doctrines, I learned how to pray like a true member of the Church of Christ. I studied the commandments of God, I learned about the true nature of Christ, the reemergence of the Iglesia ni Cristo in these last days in the Philippines on July 27, 1914, the real essence of baptism, and a lot more. It changed my life completely.
The most significant day of my life was marked on March 25, 2006 when I received the holy baptism and emerged a new person, now a true servant of our Almighty God. It was so overwhelming and very spiritual and it made me realize my purpose- in life, giving meaning to my life—to serve and honor our Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ.
The next day was another significant day in my life. It was my first attendance in the Holy Supper in the true Church.
Today, I am no longer the stranger I used to be but an active member of the true Church. I make sure to participate in all Church activities and no matter how tight my work schedule is, I try hard not to miss any of the worship services because it is where I feel most at peace with God and with myself. Shortly after my baptism, due to the nature of my job as systems consultant, I was able to go to other countries and attend worship services in other congregations, namely Kuala Lumpur and Penang in Malaysia, Jakarta in Indonesia, Bangkok in Thailand, and even in Kowloon in Hong Kong.
I pray that our faith in God will always give us strength to endure all we have to hurdle in life. May we successfully combat all trials and always offer our achievements to God. May our faith continue to strengthen until we reach perfection and spiritual maturity.
Source: Pasugo June 2011
