Good News from the Surabaya Congregation - Lilik Budiarti

Lilik Budiarti is a sister from the Singles Ministry who was baptized in August 2010. Her older sister came to know God. Lilik, who was nineteen at the time and had just graduated from high school, accepted her sister's invitation to study the Word and be baptized. She thought there was no reason to refuse if what was being taught was good things.

As time went by, Lilik worked while attending evening classes. Her busyness meant she only had time to meet her sisters in the faith once a week. Most of her interactions were with people in her workplace and on campus.

One day, Lilik got acquainted with a college student on campus. They quickly became close, and Lilik was impressed because this young man helped her solve problems at the office. However, their relationship drew Lilik away from God. She began to stop being open with her spiritual mentor. Her priorities shifted, and she even left her family behind for the sake of that relationship.

When her older sister and her brothers and sisters advised her, Lilik instead became upset and refused to listen. She felt that her happiness was in her boyfriend, not in God. She wanted to pursue her dreams together with her partner. At the end of 2012, Lilik left her faith.

At first she felt free and independent. There was no longer anyone to correct her, direct her life, or challenge her decisions. However, Lilik's life, far from God grew worse and worse. That freedom was only temporary, because her life was steeped in sin. Lilik made many fatal decisions. She became entangled in problems at work, and to resolve them, she was forced to involve her family. Because of the shock of this incident, Lilik's parents became sickly. Her boyfriend also left her. Lilik felt alone, especially since she had no close friend.

At one point, Lilik decided to put her life back in order. She rebuilt her relationship with God and returned to her family. Her life improved, but Lilik still felt that something was missing.

Lilik then began to pray. In her prayers she asked God for a close friend with whom she could share her life. However, Lilik's heart was still hard because she remembered her vow when she left her brothers and sisters in the faith, that she would not return to God.

Finally, after failing to find the friend she wanted in her own way, Lilik promised God: If the friends that God gives are indeed her brothers and sisters in the faith, then let her return to gathering with them.

With firm resolve, holding back her shame, and denying herself, Lilik attended the Bible Discussion Meeting twice. Seeing the response of the brothers and sisters who welcomed her warmly, Lilik gathered the courage to ask for help to berestored (her relationship with the congregation restored).

On November 20, 2018, Lilik returned to the congregation and felt born again. She was very grateful because God was willing to wait for her to come back, and even gave her the opportunity to put her life right. Now Lilik enjoys meeting with her small group and always wants to spend more time with her brothers and sisters in the faith. She learned that openness is the key for Christ's followers to remain faithful in their faith.

Lilik urges her brothers and sisters in the faith never to leave God. Out there, there are many pleasures to enjoy, but they are only temporary, and all that will remain in the end is regret. She reminds them, “No matter how weak our condition is, always remember to return to God!”

Amen.