Act 1: Stage Lights Couldn't Chase Away the Inner Darkness
Fourteen years ago, in winter, a play presented by a group of amateur theater enthusiasts was staged for the first time in a small theater in a northern Chinese city, receiving rounds of applause from the audience. While the initiator, Mr. Zhang, was greatly encouraged by the response, he could not conceal the gloom within. Living in a large city, he struggled with a sense of rootlessness and the pressures of work, once falling into deep despair and even contemplating death.
"Those days felt gray," Zhang recalled. "Human relationships were merely transactions and business exchanges. Lacking sincerity, I felt emotionally numb."
For Zhang, the drama club became a spiritual refuge. "At that time, I started the club simply hoping to bring color and meaning into my life," he said.
Act 2: Striving to Make a Name
Driven by his passion for theater, Zhang was willing to devote significant time and effort, hoping his enthusiasm would one day earn him recognition in the world of drama.
Yet deep down, he was aware that, as a non-professional, it was difficult to gain a foothold in the drama industry or achieve success through small, self-written plays alone. In his early thirties, Zhang longed for greater progress. He was determined to create more profound works, setting Shakespeare as a benchmark for progress.
As he began to study Shakespeare's plays in depth, Zhang noticed frequent references to Christianity. To better understand the playwright's work, he decided to first explore the Christian faith, starting with the Bible. What began as a small quest unexpectedly became a critical turning point in his life.
Act 3: A Remarkable Encounter
Having never been exposed to Christianity, Zhang thought it might be helpful to get to know a Christian.
Just two days later, a Christian woman reached out to him, expressing a strong interest in joining his drama club. Through their conversations, Zhang discovered that she was indeed a believer.
Soon after, the sister invited him to participate in church events. There, he not only began studying the Bible but also read Song of a Wanderer – Beckoned by Eternity. "I was deeply drawn to the content," Zhang recalled. "It felt as though there was no resistance in my heart."
Act 4: Melody of Praise Stirred the Heart
When Zhang first stepped in the church, he stood among the congregation listening to the hymns, and the melody deeply moved his heart. He joined in singing, thinking to himself, "There is truly God!" with tears streaming down his face.
"In fact, I hadn't cried in a long time," he recalled. "But in that moment, I began to sense that there really is a God in this world."
From then on, Zhang's life experienced a transformation. Filled with a deep yearning, he rarely missed a single church event. At home, he would listen to sermons for three to four hours each day.
"I was filled with joy every day with reading the Bible and attending gatherings," he shared with a smile. "Even walking down the street, I felt as though I could float."
Act 5: Surrendering Self-Direction to God
Over the next two years, Zhang's passion for drama creation remained strong. He directed and acted in two productions, securing opportunities for commercial performances. His path into the drama industry became clearer, and the dream of becoming a director seemed within reach.
However, in July of the following year, a theology training workshop shifted the course of his career. Five months of training laid a solid foundation for his faith, giving Zhang a clear sense of calling to full-time ministry. He began serving while continuing to work.
In 2015, Zhang was invited to join a small church as a full-time staff member. He then resigned and embraced full-time ministry with a modest monthly subsidy of 3,000 yuan. "I entrust my future to God, who is the true director of my life," he said.
Act 6: A Brand New Script
God's plans are always precise and delicate. When Zhang gave up "directing and acting his own life," he met his future wife at a Christian singles gathering. Six months later, they married and started a family.
"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor," Zhang reflected, believing they could serve more effectively together. From that moment, the couple began their journey of ministry.
Today, the grand stage has been replaced by a modest platform. Standing there with a guitar in hand, Zhang strums hymns of praise, hoping the melodies that once touched his heart will now reach and move more.
While great dramas invite the audience to appreciate the skillful creativity of their creators, faith leads people to recognize the light that God has long authored into every life story.
Originally published by the Christian Times
- Edited and translated by Poppy Chan
