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1992-95: Working in Architecture Firm, Penang
Finally, my dream came true, that was to complete my degree and to be back with my family again. As always, I wanted to join in my family's business. But my architecture profession would not complete without being registered with the professional body in Malaysia. I had to work for at least 2 years as a graduate architect, so that I could sit for the professional exam. Only after passing the exam, I could be registered as a professional architect. I was working in an architecture firm in Penang, from April 1992 to February 1995. During those years, I sinned to God again. I did many things that were not right as a Christian. I regret for what I did and pray for his forgiveness. "Success will lead us into sins. Failure will humble us and brings us closer to God. It is hard for a rich man to believe in God, and is even harder for him to live a good Christian life, but nothing is impossible, as God loves all of us, rich and poor alike. We must strongly avoid falling into sins when success is granted. We must love him, and fear him. We are like a little child, always being watched by our heavenly Father." 1994 was the year of my professional exam. I prayed hard to God, I wanted to pass the exam so much, so that I could help in my family's business. I thought that was my ultimate aim of my life, and that was my dream, the dream of family love and warmth. I had the strong urge to attach to my family, probably because I had been away and had been living by myself for so many years. I studied very hard for the exam, every day after work, consistently. Two months before the exam, I even took leave to study full time. In July 1994, I sat for the exam without problem, as I had well prepared for it. I was confident of doing it well. I was really glad and excited, as I thought my dream would come true very soon. One month later, the exam result was out. I was excited and at the same time felt very confident about it. I called up the architects' board to find out my result. I remember very well that particular moment. It was in my bedroom where I called up the architects' board. The lady on the phone told me the shocking news of my life, she said, "Mr. Goh, you failed." I was shocked and did not believe that, I asked her to check again, and she repeated, "You failed." After hanging up the phone, I completely broke down. I was crying on my bed like a kid. I felt that if I could fail the exam despite the hard works I had put in, I would never know when I could I pass the exam, 2 years, 3 years or 5 years from then? My dream was shattered, my heart was broken. I cried to God asking why he was dragging me, why he just couldn't give me what I wanted. I knew my frustration and anger were felt. "God called on me again, asking me to repent from my sins, by allowing me to fail in the exam and by delaying my dream. He made me so sad and depressed so that I would turn back to him." Days later, I tried to contact the president of the architects' board, wanted to appeal to him on my exam result. I failed to reach him through phone. So, I decided to fly down to Kuala Lumpur to see him in his office. At his office, I was told that he was not in. I waited for him the whole day, praying all the way, but he did not turn up. The next day, I went back to his office at 8.30 a.m. I waited the whole day again and could not meet him. Later I found out that I could write in to appeal on the exam result, but I was told that normally it was very hard to get through the appealing process, as the board would prefer the failed candidate to take the exam again in the following year. But I was determined and I decided to appeal. During the time of waiting for the appeal interview, I started to go to Church again. I was praying hard in the Church, begging for God's help. I knew it was difficult to pass the exam by appeal process, but I had faith, I knew God would help me, as he had helped me so many times. During that time of depress and sorrow, I regretted my sins against God. I prayed hard for his forgiveness. "God wanted me to depend on him, and to do things not by my own abilities, but to continually seeking his helps. At the same time, he wanted to test my faith, to see if I would repent from my sins when failure and sorrow befallen on me." One month later, I went for the appeal interview. Just minutes before the interview, I kept praying to God for miracle. In the interview room, there were three members from the board. They kept throwing questions on me, regarding professional practices. I tried my best to answer their questions. Before the interview ended, I was pleading to them, as I really wanted to pass the exam, so that my dream could come true. "At time of sorrow, I was humbled. My faith told me that God could perform miracle. Nothing is impossible to him." One month later, it was time to find out the final result of my appeal. I had to make the scary phone call again. In the same bedroom of mine, I called. I could feel my heart pounding, and prayed hard before calling. That time, the lady on the phone said: "Yes, you passed." I could immediately feel the great relief. I knelt down, with tears dripping down from my eyes, and I prayed. I thanked God repeatedly. I knew he had performed another great miracle in my life. Finally, I thought my dream had come true. I could join in my family's business. I thought I had achieved all that were needed in my life. Thanks God. "God does perform miracles in our lives, again and again, to show his love for us. Things might seem impossible to human kind, but to him, all things are possible. We are his children and he is our Father. Isn't it true that a good father always take good care of his children?" Forewords . 1965-73: Childhood . 1974-75: God's Call . 1976-81: The Relationship Continued . 1982-83: Singapore . 1984: Kuala Lumpur . 1985-87: Sydney . 1988-89: Penang . 1990-1991: Sydney . 1992: Year of Graduation . 1992-95: Working in Architecture Firm, Penang . 1995: Meeting My Wife . 1996: Year of Marriage . 1996-98: Discovering the Purpose of Life . Conclusion . Appendix I: Question & Answer . Appendix II: The Words of Christ |