“Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 5:14-16)
Student Stories
Wong Chong Kit
Because of open rebellion against God, my life of chastening began when I came to Aenon Training Centre. Even though this was the first training ground in my spiritual walk, it is here that I gained much in my spiritual life.
Though being a baptized Christian, I came to Aenon with a resistant attitude and a whole host of bad habits. I pride in my smartness, was lazy, and addicted to gambling and computer games, without realizing that those traits were still so strong in me. I was convicted by how accurately Jeremiah 17:9 says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”
Life in Aenon showed my flaws in a matter of only a few months. At various times, I was counseled by my school dean, work supervisor and teacher, in no uncertain terms. Even though they were encouraging, at the same time, each counsel came as a blow and wounded me because of my pride. I felt worthless and thought that my superiors would no longer believe in me. But yet I found comfort in the bible counsel in Proverbs 7:5 which said very wisely, “It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.”
I took the counsel to heart for it made me realize my own failures and mistakes. I began to pray to God to ask Him to change me thoroughly. I didn’t want to be constantly in conflict struggling between my will with that of those who were teaching me at Aenon.
God began to show me the way to change through understanding the will.
He showed me that all the agonizing, all the tears and struggles, will not bring me the blessing I long for, if I do not learn how to let go of my will. Self must be entirely surrendered. I must do the work that presents itself, appropriating the abundance of the grace of God which is promised to all who ask in faith, including me.
I learned how Christ showed us his own example of surrendering His will when He came to do the work of His Father successfully. In John 5:30, Jesus said, “I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.”
My teacher, dean and work supervisor rejoiced when they finally noticed the change in me and encouraged me always to look to Jesus.
I believe God is with me. Proverbs 3:11-13 says, “My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth. Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.”
I am one happy man now in Aenon.
