13 January 2013 by Mindy Oon-
Venkeeran Kyshan, or Keeran for short, grew up like most kids his generation. He was however, exposed to Christian stories since he was young. When he was in Standard One, his mom accepted Christ and Keeran attended Sunday School for awhile. Even at that young age, there was a curiosity in him to want to know who God is. His mom though, stopped attending church due to hurts and the following years Keeran grew up being a ‘free-thinker’.
Accepting Christ as Savior
It was not until he was in his last year of secondary school that his close friend invited him to go to church. According to Keeran, he shared: “My friend invited a lot of us. But I was the only one who turned up. And when I came, the Word of God caught my attention. I continued coming back week after week because I wanted to know who God is. While I had already decided to want to know who God is, it was not until Pastor Rudy (from KingdomCity Church KL) said “wherever you are cry out to God and He will meet you” that I accepted Christ. When I did, I felt what I now know as the Holy Spirit come upon me. I was led into the sinners prayer a little later, and I can say that it was simply by hearing the Word of God when I attended youth group that I became a follower of Christ.”
Indeed Hebrews 4:12 says:
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
Then and Now
Turning 21 this year, Keeran is now studying Psychology at UTAR, and is actively serving God in Generation One Church, Kampar. When asked if there was any difference in the life he has now and before he became a Christian, Keeran said, “the moment I accepted Christ a veil was lifted. I understood why people worship idols and realized that most of the stories I heard in Hindu and Buddhist temples didn’t make sense. There is a big difference between the Love of Christ and how they receive ‘love’ from the idols that they worship”.
He added, “Besides this, another change that took place in my life was that gaming and partying didn’t really mean anything anymore. Instead there was this desire to know God and to go deeper. My mentor made God’s word really real and tangible, and I was encouraged to get to know God more intimately. Somehow worldly desires just died away.”
Pray, Listen and Obey
It was in Year 2, Semester 1 when Keeran was studying for his finals in the UTAR library that he felt the Holy Spirit nudge him to buy as much Ribena as he could when he went to the canteen to get a drink. With the money in his wallet Keeran was able to buy six boxes of Ribena and as the Holy Spirit led him, took the box drinks up to the staff room for his lecturers to bless and appreciate them. “I knew what the Holy Spirit wanted me to do, but I was quite nervous. I was hoping that the lecturers in the staff room were the ones that I knew were Christian so what I was about to do wouldn’t be weird”. To his surprise, there was the same number of lecturers as the number of drinks that he had.
As he gave each lecturer the Ribena drinks, Keeran stirred up the courage to ask if he could pray for each one of them. “I was surprised to see their reactions. Instead of thinking that I was a weirdo, the lecturers were open and ready for prayer. One of them even said, “Why are you doing this? I haven’t been to church for so long”. Others asked what they should do, whether they should stand or sit, to receive prayer”. What he did reminded the lecturers that they were people who cared, and as Keeran shared his testimony with his friends, the UTAR CF took up ‘Operation Ribena’ to continue to bless and appreciate their educators.
As with Keeran, we too can be used by God, simply by listening to the Holy Spirit, and obeying His leading. Sometimes we may feel rather silly or afraid to do what the Holy Spirit urges us to do, but as we start to obey, we will be able to make a difference in the lives of the people around us.
Dear Viewers in Christ, if you find this article edifying to you, please share with your friends or loved ones by using the social media plugs (Share, Email to this article). The Lord will surely bless you as you bless others. May the Lord’s peace and love be with you. Amen.
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