Treasure in Heaven

Submitted by Joanna…

I was born into a middle-class family. Although both of my parents worked and we had a steady income, my parents fought over money almost every day. At that time, I thought money was the only solution for my family problems. Actually, I thought money was the solution for all of life’s problems. Without money, we wouldn’t be able to hang out with classmates or make friends with them. Without money, we wouldn’t be able to have a boyfriend or even get married. Without money, we wouldn’t be able to have a warm family. Although money is necessary to a certain extent, I went to the extreme. I hated rich people. And I attributed people’s success to the unfairness of having better economic conditions. At that time, I made up my mind to earn a large amount of money and buy a big house for my parents in order to please them. That was the only thing in my mind — buying a big house so then we wouldn’t have any more family problems.

Since my mom was a Christian, I started going to church at a very early age. But since I moved many times growing up, it was hard for me to go regularly to the same church and build on my relationship with God. Whenever others asked me about my religious belief, I would answer that I believed in Jesus, even though I did not understand Christianity at all.  To me at that time, Christianity was just a western religion and religion offers consolation for the weak.  I did not reject Christianity; neither did I actively investigate it.  All I cared about was my own dream to make money and live a comfortable life. As I grew older, I understood that money was not the solution to everything. No matter how much money I may make, I will never be able to please my parents.  Money can bring about only a certain level of happiness, but when I faced myself honestly, I knew that no matter how much money I possess, I would still be discontent and feel that there is something missing inside.

In the summer of my sophomore year, my parents and I went to Texas to visit my brother who was studying there.  Because we did not know Texas that well, my aunt from North Carolina asked a Christian couple living in Texas to host us. As I stayed with them, I realized that their care for us was selfless and unconditional – even though they were going through some of their own personal difficulties, they were still very willing to help.  After we returned to Taiwan, that couple continued to take care of my brother and every weekend, they would drive two hours to bring food or other necessities to my brother.  They gave not only money but their time and love.  Even though they gave a lot, they were still very humble.  Seeing their lives, I started wanting to find out what kind of God Jesus was.

In the summer of my junior year, I attended the NTHU English Camp.  My TA Calvin introduced me to Gracepoint and I started getting in touch with Gracepoint.  I took Course 101 with Esther Wang, learning about the love of Jesus.  I struggled because to give up my original lifestyle was not an easy thing, but from Course 101, I learned that I should not allow the lesser things in my life to conquer the greater things.  I thought of one example of the lesser thing was my sin and the greater thing was the existence of God.  If God truly exists, then I should not continue to indulge myself in my own comfort, but to accept the path that God has planned out for me. I also thought of that couple in Texas whose example showed me how sinful my selfishness and mistrust toward God and others were.  For that reason, in the last session of Course 101, I decided to confess my sin and trust that the precious blood of Jesus Christ can wash away my sin.

After making my decision, a lot of my values have changed.  Before, I thought I could have a happy life if I study hard, get a good job and make a lot of money.  After I made my decision, I gradually realized that “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”  We do not have to rely on ourselves to find peace and happiness because when we depend on God, God will give us peace and joy.  I am slowly shifting the focus of my life from myself to glorifying and honoring God.