There is a story in the Gospel of John: Jesus once met a woman who lived in Samaria. She had a complicated life history and was often busy and burdened with life. Her life changed drastically after Jesus revealed to her that He was the living water she needed. I feel a similar connection with the story of this Samaritan woman.
My name is Stephen. My story began 23 years ago.
When I was still in my 20s, a relative and a friend passed away one after another in my arms due to accidents. When all the instruments in the hospital’s ICU room stopped, that was the moment when their lives ended. Only their cold bodies remained on the bed. Soon my mom was also diagnosed with breast cancer. At that time, I was devastated and afraid that another loved one would die in my arms. All this happened so suddenly and later became a thorn in my heart.
In the following years, I continued searching for life’s meaning. I had many questions: Is life really like the others saying, “A person dies like a lamp goes out“? or as one Emperor asked, “I was confused when I came, and then I was lost. I walked along the world once. Who was I before I was born? Who was I after I was born? Who was I when I grew up, and who was I when I closed my eyes?”
“Whereas you don’t know what your life will be like tomorrow. For what is your life? For you are a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.” -James 4:14
Four years later, by the grace of the heavenly Father, I met my wife and, at the same time, got to know the gospel. I started to read the Bible stories, and through the pastor’s explanation, I began to understand Jesus of the Bible more deeply. Whenever I read the Bible, I felt the gentle voice of Jesus calling me, “Come to me!”
Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28
After four years of marriage with my wife, God once again blessed me with two sons. When I held my youngest son in my arms, I saw and understood it.
“He restores my soul, He guides me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” – Psalm 23:3
My hands cannot hold back the life that was going away, but my hands can welcome new lives. Two people have died in my arms, and now God placed two new lives in my arms so that I can start a new life together with them.
As I am counting my blessings in my 40s, I no longer have that thorn in my heart. I am filled with indescribable gratitude whenever I look back and see through Heavenly Father’s grace. It turned out that the road I walked was always under the care of my heavenly Father.
“As an eagle that stirs up her nest, that flutters over her young, he spread abroad his wings, he took them, he bore them on his feathers, Yahweh alone led him. There was no foreign god with him .” – Deuteronomy 32:11-12
Choosing to follow Jesus has been the best decision of my life. If I had to choose again, I would follow Jesus without hesitation. Jehovah God is a God who gives life. His Word is mighty, wise, loving, and righteous. I sincerely invite you to learn and know this loving and gracious Jesus together. May God bless you even more!
聖經約翰福音中記載這個故事：耶穌曾經尋找一個住在撒瑪利亞的婦人。她的身世複雜而且經常為生活奔波勞碌。但是當耶穌向婦人啟示自己就是她要尋找的生命之水後，她的生命開始了翻天覆地改變。每當我讀這個故事的時候，我覺得自己和這位撒瑪利亞婦人有些相似。
我姓陳，大家叫我Stephen 。我的故事從23年前開始。
當時還是20來歲的我就先後有親人和朋友因為意外相繼在我的懷裡過世。當醫院病房裡的儀器都停下來的時候，那就是他們生命結束的一刻。留在床上的就只有冷冰冰的身體。不久我媽媽還證實患有乳癌。那時候我非常傷心又害怕會有第三個親人在我的懷裡失去生命。這一切來得太突然、後來也成為了我心裏的一條刺。之後的幾年我不斷地找尋生命的意義。心裡有很多的問題：難道生命真是好像人常說的「人死如燈滅」？又如順治皇帝說「來時糊塗去時迷，空在人間走一回，未曾生我誰是我？生我之時我是誰？長大成人方是我，合眼朦朧又是誰？」我們人是否就這樣糊裡糊塗地過短暫的一生嗎？
「其實明天如何、你們還不知道。你們的生命是甚麼呢．你們原來是一片雲霧、出現少時就不見了。 」- 雅各書4:14
四年後、蒙天父的厚愛，我認識了我的太太，透過她也同時接觸到福音。我開始閱讀聖經，而且透過牧師的講解，我開始更深地理解聖經中的耶穌。每當我讀聖經的時候，就好像有耶穌溫柔的聲音對我說 “來、你來我這裏！”
「凡勞苦擔重擔的人、可以到我這裏來、我就使你們得安息。」– 馬太福音11:28
我和太太結婚四年後、再一次蒙天父的恩、祂賜給我兩個兒子。當我看著懷裡的小兒子的時候，我明白了，我也覺醒了。
「他使我的靈魂甦醒、為自己的名引導我走義路。」– 詩篇23:3
我的雙手無法挽留要走的生命，但是我的雙手卻可以迎接新的生命。曾經有兩個人在我懷裡離世，現在 神要將兩個新生命放在我的懷裡。並且要與他們一起經歷新生命的成長。
如今我屈指一算，人生已正是在不惑之年。我心裡面再也沒有那根刺。每當我蓦然回首、數算天父的恩典的時候，心裡總有說不盡的感恩。原來我所走過的路都有天父不離不棄的看顧。
「又如鷹攪動巢窩、在雛鷹以上兩翅搧展、接取雛鷹、背在兩翼之上、這樣、耶和華獨自引導他、並無外邦神與他同在。」– 申命記 32:11-12
選擇跟從耶穌是我一生中最正確的決定。若要我再選一次，我還會毫不猶豫地揀選跟從耶穌。耶和華上帝是一位賜生命的 神。祂的道滿有能力，智慧，慈愛和公義。我誠意地邀請您一起學習和認識這位滿有愛和恩典的耶穌。願上帝賜更大的福給您！