Shofar Lau, beloved son of God, shared about how God revealed Himself to him even before he knew God.
A Sarawakian from a traditional Chinese family, Shofar grew up going to the temple with his family, practicing the traditions such as drinking burnt talisman. He often wondered if there was vested power within the statues there.
But it was only when he turned 18 years old, he was exposed to God through his roommate who was often seen reading the Bible. Shofar asked many question. But none of the answers satisfied him.
On 25th of September, Shofar Lau was invited as a speaker in the Full Gospel Business Men Fellowship (FGBMF) in the KL Ebenezer Jalan Gereja chapter led by Steven Toh.
He thought, “How can one claim that his god is true when there are so many other gods in this world?” Hence, looking up to the sky, he asked in his heart, “Whoever is the highest God, please reveal yourself to me.”
So, Shofar graduated and came to a college in Kuala Lumpur (now KUTAR) with a friend. But after one month, his friend left the college. Yet, God did not leave Shofar alone. He sent him a Christian friend who invited him to join the Bible studies and fellowship. After six months, Shofar moved in with him with other Christians as well. And a year later, Shofar accepted Christ.
“Looking back, if my friend had not leaved me, I would have never become a Christian because I was an anti-Christian in high school. I would often fight with my classmate on whether God actually created the universe,” Shofar said.
His life appeared normal after believing in Christ. But even before he realized, God was already paving a path of blessing and favour for him.
Coming from a humble background, Shofar recalled how he had to work part-time to pay for his college tuition fees. At one time, he only had RM10 in his bank account. But two years into his career, God opened an opportunity for him to start an engineering lab educational equipment business, which he did considerably well.
“But after a few years, I felt really dry spiritually. I started to question myself, ‘What is the meaning of life?’ and ‘Why am I here?’” said Shofar who began returning to church
The business continued to prosper, so much so, at one point Shofar had the means to give a six-figure check to the church.
“I am revealing this number not because I want to boast but I want to tell you about the glory of God,” said Shofar.
God brought to mind that day when Shofar was compelled during a Christian seminar at his university to give.
“Guess how much I give to the seminar? Guess how much I put in the envelope? Nothing. Zero. I gave an empty envelope. But I gave to God my heart. I told God, ‘I want to give something in this envelope to you,’” said Shofar.
And how God honoured his desire! His business prospered. Yet, Shofar was reminded of 1 Corinthians 10:26 and Psalm 24:1.
The earth is the LORD’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein, for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers. (Psalm 24:1)
The earth is the Lord’s and everything in in. (1 Corinthians 10:26)
“I realized that I have not given to the Lord because everything I have belongs to God in the first place. I was giving Him what was already His. What I realized is that we cannot outgive God. He will always outgive us,” said Shofar.
After his six-figure check, his business of RM30 million turnover per year multiplied ten folds to RM300 million a year. This amount was unprecedented in his industry!
Yet, this overwhelming number of projects came with a price. Shofar worked long hours, day and night. Slowly, he began to compromise his time with God and church.
“Now that I recall, it is one of the mistakes I made in my life. There was no balance between my work and my life. I did not realize that I was working all the time, so much so I even neglected my health and went into depression,” said Shofar.
The sudden death of his mother who was pink in health triggered his depression. Shofar was burdened with the guilt of not spending enough time with her while she was still alive. Added to the pressure of managing over 30 engineers, Shofar slowly sunk into depression – one that sent him to a hospital during a work trip in Sabah.
“Even till the middle of the night, I just could not sleep and I felt really restless. I felt so tired that I thought I was going to drop dead. So, I went to the hotel receptionist to get a taxi to the hospital,” said Shofar.
In the hospital, Shofar insisted to overnight at the emergency ward although the medical officer assured him of his healthy condition. So, he slept and woke up to continue working again, having felt better. But not long after, Shofar had a panic attack and went to see the doctor. This time, the doctor asked him to quit his work in Sabah and return home in Kuala Lumpur.
“Now, I understand why people want to commit suicide. Depression is the disease of the soul. You cannot focus in life and you just want to die. Life is literally hell on earth. And one of the symptoms is insomnia,” said Shofar.
He added, “Sometimes, I just want to sit there and talk to the doctor. And I feel better. So, that is the extent of my depression.”
Although he did a full body check-up, which results were normal, he still felt something was very wrong. Suddenly, he remembered that there was one person he had not asked.
“Suddenly, I remember my God! The world has no answer for me. ‘But God, You must have the answer!’” said Shofar who immediately picked up his Bible to read, which verse 2 Chronicles 5:13-14 caught his eyes and moved his spirit. This verse talks about praising God.
The trumpeters and musicians joined in unison to give praise and thanks to the LORD. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals and other instruments, the singers raised their voices in praise to the LORD and sang: “He is good; his love endures forever.” Then the temple of the LORD was filled with the cloud, and the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled the temple of God. (2 Chronicle 5:13-14)
“I did not know what to say to praise God. So, I just lied down and say, ‘I praise the Lord. Hallelujah. I praise the Lord.’ And you know what happen? I just sleep. Perfect sleep!” said Shofar, whose body was wrecked from over fatigue.
Having not experienced a deep sleep for six months, Shofar praised God again the next day and slept soundly without any problem. So, that was his daily sleeping medication – praising God!
“I realized that the Presence of God repels darkness. That is the principle of God. Before this, I could not even praise God. But now I can praise Him from my heart.
“My eyes were opened from that one experience. It was just one verse and it settled my problem. Wow! So, I turned to look at the Bible. It was so thick. I wondered what’s more in it.
“So, I started reading and God just opened my eyes to the Truth. I realized that there is a difference between knowledge and truth. Knowledge deals with my head. But Truth deals with my heart,” he said.
At one time, he was so voracious for the revelation from God that God just opened his eyes to His Word, day after day.
“My eyes were just glued to the book. I could not stop reading. I asked, ‘God, what are you saying?’ And He gave me a lot of revelations,” he said, citing Jeremiah 33:3.
Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know. (Jer 33:3)
“In the past, when I looked at the Word of God, I would understand it in an intellectual manner. But when God opened my spiritual eyes, I looked at His Word in a different angle. And through His Word, God healed me physically and relationally,” Shofar said.
He recalled how God lifted his anger from his wife after an argument, when God literally spoke to him in an audible voice. And through that intervention, Shofar was released from the bondage of anger.
That is why reading the Word of God is so important to Shofar. It is the only way he could renew his mind, as said in Romans 12:2.
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Rom 12:2)
“What convicted me is the verse, ‘What good will it be for me to gain the whole world yet forfeit my soul?’ Even if I were to get a business deal greater than what I experienced, I will not take it. I don’t want to. I want to enter through the small gate and narrow road that leads to life,” said Shofar, citing Matt 16:26 and Matt 7:14.
Right now, Shofar is actively involved in the foreign people ministry and worshipping in RLS Church in Desa Sri Hartamas. His goal in life now is to do what God the Father asks him to do.
“Why am I here? What is the meaning and purpose of this life? It’s not about me but God has a plan. I need to fit into His Plan. (Gal 2:20) It is like a jigsaw puzzle. And I am one piece of that jigsaw puzzle, a living stone, built into the building of God’s New Jerusalem. I don’t want to miss out (1 Pet 2:4-5),” said Shofar, citing Galatians 2:20 and 1 Peter 2:4-5.
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now life in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Gal 2:20)
As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stone are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. (1 Pet 2:4-5)
“That day will come; the time of departure is at hand but I don’t know when. I kept reminding myself to fight the good fight. Will I be able to do this? Especially when God has revealed to me now, I must go on,” said Shofar, citing Paul in 2 Tim 4:6-8, as these verses kept popping in his mind.
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing. (2 Tim 4:8)
Indeed, out of all the wealth Shofar has acquired, he realized the greatest wealth lies not in his possessions on earth, but in his Lord Jesus Christ.
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Visit KL Ebenezer Jalan Gereja chapter of FGBMF at 1 to 2 PM every Tuesday at Ebenezer Hall, 5th Floor, Sri Ebenezer, 2-8 Jalan Gereja, 50100 Kuala Lumpur.
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