True Success
by Thang Pham
Growing up, I had lived in a very isolated, sheltered environment around my parents. I had no background in any religion. My parents were Buddhist, non-practicing. As I was growing up, my parents viewed success as doing well financially and having great kids. I took everything the same way, I lived life spoiled and expected everything to come easy. Going through school, I was viewed as a great student by peers and adults but what would have shocked them all was my lack of output to get where I was — graduating with a 3.8 GPA with hardly ever opening a book. I always told myself that if I had put any effort into something, then I could do it, and most of the time, things came too easy. That’s living 18 years in a shell, protected and not being vulnerable to destruction. At this time I viewed myself as completely having everything I needed and to me that was success.
Well, entering my freshman year of college at Washington State University I was feeling confident, but as time went by I started realizing my life was incomplete and I was seeking after different things such as relationships and activities that I could do to fill the empty times. Toward the end of my first semester, my life at this time basically sucked because my grades were not as good as my parents would have liked them, my relationships with friends were not going well, and every little distraction would affect me greatly. All this time I had been going to a Christian club on campus– not seeking after God or Jesus, but girls. The only thing I had learned from there was that people who had accepted Christ, it made their life better and fulfilling. Well, that’s what I heard, I didn’t know.
As my life grew dimmer and I was feeling more lonely and empty, I knew I needed help and a way out of all my troubles, and I needed it quick. On December 6, 1996, at 12 a.m. I came down to my best friend’s room in tears just seeking for help. I knew that I needed Jesus Christ to come into my life but I didn’t know how to ask it. We talked until 5:30 the next morning, but I still hadn’t accepted Christ. I went back to my room just feeling really good about what progress I had made, but still I needed to ask Christ into my life. Well, I called up a Christian friend that afternoon who helped answer my questions for the next three hours. I then received Christ into my life at 5:05 p.m. on December 7, 1996.
Well, I can’t say life has been perfect but it has been comforting knowing that I have the Lord on my side for everything I go through. Ever since I received Christ, God has been working to change me from the inside out. God has made me realize what true success really is, that is knowing Him and living life for Him who is my personal God.
This article was originally printed by EveryStudent.com. Copyright 2000 Every Student’s Choice. Used with permission.