Chiong Xiao-Ying, Cleo

I grew up self-righteous and self-sufficient, prideful and with little regard for God. However, during my teenage years, some personal struggles made me keenly aware of  my brokenness and I found that I could neither escape my sinful nature nor redeem myself from its consequence. I questioned the purpose of a life frustrated by sin and was struck by the vanity of human toil. I wondered and hoped that there would be more to this life, and in my desperation for answers, I began to seek God. I asked that if He were real, to reveal Himself  to me. 

And God answered. In university, a friend reached out to me and shared with me John 17:3 “And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent”. She explained that God desired to have a personal relationship with me. Never did I expect to hear that, that God could be personally and intimately known. 

She introduced me to the Navigators, where I met my current spiritual mentor. Through one-to-one weekly meetings, my mentor introduced me to Jesus through the Bible. His Word convicted me of His reality , love, my need for His saving grace and His rightful place as Lord. It was then that I gave my life to Christ. 

My life has never been the same. I thank God for discipleship, because through it I learnt how regular time spent in God’s Word, Prayer, Fellowship and Witnessing granted me precious communion with Him. 

Above all, I thank God for my New life –  of knowing Him personally as my Father, of a new purpose and to abide in Him and bear lasting fruit for His Kingdom.  

Today, I continue to serve with the NUS Navigators. In the same way I am being discipled, I’m thankful to be able to disciple others by God’s grace. In too many ways to share here, God has also done immeasurably more than all I had asked or imagined. 

I am a sinner truly saved by Grace.