Raunaq, The elder son of Tangu Brother

Being raised in a Christian family, as the son of a pastor and also, having attended most of his sermons, I always was in full concordance and agreement with whatever my dad said. I had personally witnessed the pain and effort, he had taken to organise prayer meetings. But, as a kid, I have never been able to fully comprehend or rationalise as to his drive, motivation and passion in what he did. But, our circumstances and surroundings changed with every passing day and the church I was attending grew in number so exponentially, that we had to find larger venues to accommodate the increasing number of attendees in the fellowship. It was obvious that the reason behind these astounding changes was the Saviour my dad was preaching.

As I grew into a teenager, I started to question myself and everyone around me. I had to face strange thoughts in my heart which plagued me with the question,

[su_quote]”Do I actually need this saviour personally? I have never had to face the problems which my dad did, namely, financial crisis, family issues etc.”[/su_quote]

I was well content and comfortable in my world, with the few good friends I had in and out of church, and a few hundred rupees in my wallet.

My conviction grew stronger, as I watched my peers, especially the ones who didn’t attend the church, who were apparently enjoying life in ways, I never thought, the church or religion would approve. As expected, my parents were a bit concerned about my outlook on life. With these queries in mind, I attended a meeting in Chennai, while I was in my 12th grade. During the service, my attention was suddenly drawn to a particular topic my dad was preaching about – Eternal life. He was referring to instances where, lives of ordinary individuals in the bible, were changed forever by a single encounter with Jesus.

[su_note note_color=”#55c2f7″ radius=”1″]But, during that meeting, I said in my heart, “Jesus, I have heard dad speaking about you all these years and I have no doubts about your existence, but I need that encounter of which he was speaking about”.[/su_note]

Suddenly I felt someone (who I know, was Jesus) standing next to me, with his hands on my shoulders, saying, “I love you!”. Oh my God!! I was blown away and I heard my dad whisper, as he laid his hands upon me saying, “Father, I am just his biological father, but You are his spiritual father. Touch him and fill him”. My own heavenly Father was right next to me!

It was the most awesome experience ever!!! Suddenly I had no further doubts at all; All my queries vanished in that moment!! I was basking in His love that surpasses all understanding!!

Let me tell you, my friends, He is someone who will never condemn, judge or make you feel low, but will always have a good word for you and about you; love you and accept you as you are!

This encounter with Jesus changed my whole perspective about God. I finally understood that it was I who needed to change and not God, who remains the same, as a loving Heavenly Father. I realised that I no longer needed to seek God in a particular place, but instead, He was always with me!! I needed a major turnaround in my attitude and perception that money, health, and a good time with friends were all that I needed. I realized that only God can fill me in every area of my life. I needed to become less self-seeking and instead, look for opportunities to serve my fellow men which is truly the purpose for which God has created me. I needed to change from being content in my comfort zone, and do what is needed, be a voice that is heard, and be what I need to be to build a strong nation and society.

We need to change our perspective about life to become an activist, to stand for truth and righteousness, to be something more than religious, political or even silent observer. He wants us to have a life where we reign on this earth!! A life where we walk from victory to greater victory. All you have to do to have that overcoming life, is to say, “Jesus, I want a personal encounter with you!!”

And I assure you that your perspective of life will totally change, as mine did, and you will also become a part of this overcoming, ever joyful, victorious, eternal life!!