I was born in an orthodox Hindu family, and my father was a pious and well-known person. As I grew up, I strictly followed the footsteps of my father. When I turned 13, I looked up to my father as a role model. He was never negligent in performing pooja/worship to all Hindu gods every day. Every day, he got up early from 4.00 am to 7:00 am for personal devotion in our special prayer room. He strictly adhered to this schedule. After him, I went into the pooja room and performed pujas to all Hindu gods. As per the custom, I went for the bhajan at the temple every day. I was strictly advised to do it diligently for the uplifting of my spiritual life.
I was very weak in my studies, especially in math, and stood second last in the class. That was the turning point in my life. After that, I decided to concentrate on my studies, especially with Algebra. Then I joined B.Sc. (Math) and tried to complete my graduation to get a decent job. Despite all my hard work, I had failed Algebra and was greatly disappointed as I was disqualified from securing a decent job. My family members were very much annoyed about my failure, and I did not find anyone to comfort or guide me at that time. I became a sincere, serious, and religious person. I also used to play county-level cricket matches and won many trophies.
After that, my lifestyle changed completely. I was frustrated, and I started to smoke and became a chain smoker. I started using drugs and drinking liquor. I became a ring leader of a gang indulging in ragging, brawling, and eve-teasing. Whenever there was a college strike, I stood in the front to lead it. I became a notoriously bad person. But every day, I went to the temple ceremoniously and performed the puja in my house every morning. I burned the midnight oil studying Algebra, which was a nightmare. I wrote the exam once again but in vain because I got very poor marks in that exam again.
There was NO PEACE IN MY LIFE … NO JOY IN MY LIFE … NO ONE TO LOVE ME … NO ONE TO GUIDE ME … NO ONE TO TAKE CARE OF ME — although my own people were around me. My health worsened, and I vomited blood due to excessive consumption of drugs/alcohol and smoking. I reached the brink of desperation, and so I decided to commit suicide. I felt that I was worthless to my family and society. One afternoon I went to a well to commit suicide, but I heard a voice saying this continually, ‘SUICIDE IS NOT THE CONCLUSION OF LIFE, AND YOU NEED TO FACE THE FACT. Finally, I had to postpone my suicide attempt.
Again, one afternoon I was so depressed that I ran to the temple barefooted, literally crying all the way. I asked God, “Why has this happened to me? Despite my hard work, why can’t I obtain my degree? And why can’t I find real love or comfort from my family members?’
So, I decided to go to my eldest brother’s house (who was the first Christian convert in our family) and stay with him for some time. There I got the zeal to know about the Bible, but not intend to become a Christian. My brother was shocked and asked me to pack up and go back home. After much persuasion, my elder brother agreed to send me to the Bible college. I should not disclose this to any one of our family members or friends. Otherwise, they may cause trouble for him. I agreed, not intending to become a Christian but only to know about the Bible. I joined a Bible College in Rajahmundry. On the very first day, God started working in my life through miracles. I fell sick, and I never knew how to pray to God. It was night, and no one took care of me since all were new and I did not know what to do. But that night, around 11 pm, I just knelt and started crying without uttering any word. Praise God, who saw my tears and healed me that very moment.
Even after this miracle, I did not accept Jesus as my Savior. Still, while reading the Bible, God opened my spiritual eyes and convinced me to understand that I am a “SINNER.” I confessed my sins and repented. During the days of my Bible College, I appeared for Algebra exams in Chennai. A couple of months later, I asked God to give me the Algebra exam result within 24 hours. I kept this as a test to find whether this God is a true God or not. (I did not know whether the results were published or not at that time) But I prayed earnestly, “GOD, IF YOU ARE A REAL GOD, PLEASE ANSWER MY PRAYER.” “GOD, I WILL GIVE YOU 24 HRS TIME FROM NOW ONWARDS (IT WAS IN THE AFTERNOON). I SHOULD GET MY RESULTS BY TOMORROW 0200 P.M. “That night, I fasted and prayed to God continuously.
The following day I attended the Bible classes. That afternoon all the students had gone for lunch, and I was alone in the classroom with significant stress. I was praying to God. After lunch, all the students returned to the classroom, and the session was about to begin. The set time was nearing, and I was really tense and agitated, and I thought: Did this God also forsake me? If it is so, then there is no God at all. When the class was about to start, I was on the last bench of the classroom with a downcast heart and soul. But at precisely 2:00 pm. I saw a postman standing at the door — calling my name. Immediately I stood up and approached him to get my parcel (that was a registered AD). I got the sealed cover, and I opened it in front of all the students and the teacher, as I was very anxious to know what was inside the cover. Believe me when I got my original mark sheet for Algebra, wherein I scored 2nd in the class! I could not believe this, and without knowing, I literally cried in front of all the students and the professor. They looked at me with great puzzlement. Immediately I asked the professor if I could speak a few words, and my request was granted.
That event is still vivid in my memory, and these are the words I addressed at that time: “I TESTED GOD BY GIVING HIM AN IMPOSSIBLE THING TO DO. I STARTED PRAYING TO GOD TO MAKE IT HAPPEN WITHIN THE STIPULATED TIME — THAT IS, WITHIN 24 HRS TIME. I ALSO ASKED (told) GOD THAT IT SHOULD HAPPEN BEFORE 2:00 pm TODAY; otherwise, THERE WILL BE NO EXISTENCE OF GOD FOR ME”. I remember saying all that in a loud voice with tears streaming down my face. “BUT TODAY, THE LIVING AND THE PRAYER-ANSWERING GOD HAS PROVEN THAT HE IS THE MIGHTY GOD AND CAN MAKE IMPOSSIBLE THINGS POSSIBLE! “TODAY I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE IS NO GOD BESIDES THIS GOD – LORD JESUS – WHO IS THE TRUE GOD AND WORTHY OF ALL GLORY!” From that day onwards, my faith increased, and I decided to get baptized and lead a life pleasing to Jesus Christ. Now the journey is ongoing, and my God is still answering my prayers. And I sincerely thank God for showing great love and compassion though I am unworthy.
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Purpose: Sent to Divide
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