Chris Yip

I had just passed away. I rose from my bed and walked to the door. “This is it”, I thought. “It’s time to leave”. I felt strong and secure; I was prepared to walk into the unknown. I made my way to the living room and I saw a huge tree, transparent and silvery, shining brightly. It was beautiful. The tree represented my life: full and perfect. I fell down on my knees and began laughing; I was pleased and content. But to my horror, the tree became dark, hollow, and rotted. I completely broke down at what was revealed to me. Later that night, I was admitted into the hospital for a high fever, one that had caused me to hallucinate and become hysterical.

Many years later, on December 18, 1993, I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal saviour. How did that happen? Well, I received a call from a friend reminding me about a Christmas presentation happening at his church. I was feeling pretty down and I had told him that I didn’t want to go. Thankfully I did.

The musical presentation was called “Love’s Pure Light” and it was a touching story about Mary, Joseph, and the birth of Jesus Christ. After the play, a speaker shared with us the true meaning of Christmas and why Jesus’ birth was significant to us. He ended his speech by asking if anyone wanted to receive Christ as his or personal savior. The audience bowed their heads and closed their eyes as the pastor asked, “Do you want Jesus Christ to come into your heart and be with you forever? All you have to do is raise your hand”. Well, after some hesitation, I raised my hand. The pastor prayed with us and I asked Jesus into my heart and into my life.

But why? Yes, why? I had everything I could ever ask for. I had a great family, I went to school and got good grades, I had lots of friends, and I knew how to have a good time. But there was something missing in my life. Deep down inside, I felt empty. Only until that night did I realize the answers to the many questions I had in my heart. I wondered what was the meaning of life, and I wanted to know why I was here and where I was going. I had always thought of myself as being a good person, but I knew I wasn’t perfect. I thought a lot about heaven and hell, but I could only hope that when I died, I would be safe. I learned that I wouldn’t be, and that this hurt God deeply. And that’s why Jesus Christ had come down to earth. He came to die for me. He endured death on a cross so that I could be forgiven of all my sin and so that I could have a personal relationship with Him for all eternity. I needed the love and forgiveness of an all loving and perfect God.

So, how are things different now? From that moment onward, I began life anew. God had filled that emptiness inside of me with Himself. I was alive and I was freed from sin and death! I can’t explain the feeling of joy and peace I felt as Jesus entered my heart, but I can tell you how real Christ has made Himself to me. That night, the great adventure of life began and nothing has ever been the same. I don’t fear seeing my life as a diseased and dying tree because I have purpose and meaning. I know I’m not just another human on the planet, but a child of God who is loved with the greatest love possible. And now I can share that love with others!

Tags: Chris, experiences, Gen X, Gen Y, GenXperiences, testimony, Yip