#KeepingtheFaith   #WhatInspiresMe

In good times and in bad, we all need something to fall back on.
For me, it has always been faith. This is my personal journey of faith.

I believe that all religions hold true to the transcending love between human beings, which I have so often witnessed in Malaysia and which is so culturally diverse. In this post, I share what religion means to me. I would like to mention that religion is a personal choice and I am very respectful of the faith decisions that you choose to embrace.

Yu Min

Yu Min, my wife, hails from a Christian family – a staunch one at that. Back then in Pontian, Johor there were not many Christians. They were few and on top of that, the local community was wary of Christians. Yu Min’s mother was what I now can relate to as ‘God-fearing’. Grace before meals and the entire works, but her care for me was good and that was reason enough for me to visit Yu Min, frequently. 

In November 1975, Yu Min and I were married in a simple Chinese ceremony in our hometown in Pontian. As newly-weds,  our biggest challenge was our differences in religion. Yu Min is a devout Christian; I was, then, a non-practising Taoist.

It was also a trying time for me. I was going through depression. Life was miserable. I could not get things done and I lost interest in most things, but I never told anyone this. 

Void

I was doing well in my career at IJM Corporation and I made it easily up the corporate ladder. I am a go-getter, I learn fast, I surpass expectations and for the most part, I take rejection well, which was why as many people struggled to move up, I seemed to have sailed through. 

But, I was unhappy. There was a nagging feeling that God wanted me to do something – what exactly, I wasn’t sure. 

One day I decided to speak to God. I remember it was something to this tune. “God, my wife knows you, you know me. I have heard of your name but I don’t know you. I have so many problems despite having a good career, good friends and a happy family. Can you solve some of these problems for me?”

We moved around quite a bit because of my job. In 1981, we were glad to be moving from Terengganu to Subang Jaya, Selangor. Interestingly, things began to take a turn for the better after the move. 

Turning Point

I encountered self-awareness and came to terms that I was experiencing depression and that I had to do something to get out of it. At this juncture, I thought, maybe it was time to look for a church, at least for my wife. After all, she quit attending church because of me. This was the turning point. 

I sought out a home fellowship and decided to attend service there. Yu Min was ecstatic. Despite my initial misgivings, my first visit was surprisingly pleasant and I have not looked back since.

We have come a long way, from a house to a shophouse, and finally to the present two-acre land in Subang Jaya SS17 upon which stands the First Baptist Church that caters to a congregation of Mandarin, English, Tamil and Tagalog speaking parishioners. 

Solace

God is the first person I turn to in times of sorrow and happiness. He has filled a void I never even knew existed in me.

Here’s to keeping the faith, regardless of our religious choices.

Have a great week ahead.

Dr Sim Quan Seng.