A Normal Christian, Grace Ng

I started meeting with the local church when I was 19. I thank the Lord for leading me to meet with other Christians in the local church. I would say the Lord really opened my eyes to realize what a normal Christian is. I used to be just a “Sunday Christian.” I was tired of that kind of living and hoped to really find something that would satisfy my hunger. Then the Lord led me meet with others in the local church in Toronto when I was studying at Canada. I found out the brothers and sisters were so caring, loving, and they were not pretending. Their testimony attracted me to continue meeting with them, even though at first I didn't understand the truths from the Bible they were sharing and learning. Also it was very difficult for me to begin to have a time with the Lord every morning and to attend meetings in the homes of believers during the week, but the Lord just kept me meeting with the local church.

I transferred to Honolulu in 1998 and began meeting with the local church there. I was amazed that Toronto and Honolulu were so far apart but the content of the church meetings was the same. They didn't speak different things (1 Corinthians 1:10). This is the oneness of the universal church. I saw the Body of Christ expressed.

I started to serve because there was a small number meeting with the church in Honolulu. I learned church administration and also how to serve with children. At one time I was the only college-age sister meeting with the local church in Honolulu. Then I opened my apartment for a young people's meeting. Four of us had a Bible study every Saturday evening. I also went to the prayer meeting every Wednesday and college meetings on Friday. My week was just full of meetings. I was busy but I just enjoyed it so much because I was satisfied spiritually. I was being fed and I went to feed others. I think the Lord led me through my college years to meet with a small local church to help me to learn how to shepherd others and how to function profitably in the church.

A normal Christian is someone growing spiritually. Some grow faster, and some grow slower. I just feel that I am growing. The Lord brings me closer and closer to Him and I know I will be as perfect as the Father is perfect one day (Matthew 5:48).

I am thankful for the time meeting with the local church because I was able to grow spiritually. My growth has occurred in a healthy environment with other believers who love and pursue the Lord in oneness and purity.

Praise the Lord for the local churches where I can be perfected (Ephesians 4:12).