I want to be a Christian, but my parents are Hindus
Question:
Praise the Lord.
I'm Hindu, but I accepted Jesus as my God and Savior. In my family, all are unbelievers. My brother and I were baptized. I praise God for His grace upon us. My family forces us to bow before Hindu idols. It hurts a lot. When the world rejected me, Jesus loved me. I can't go against my parents. I pray daily, and I go to church without informing those at home. If they knew about my going to church, they would scold and not allow us to go.
I'm very worried about my marriage because they will search for a Hindu boy. God called me. He will never leave me. I have faith in Him. But I'm very worried about my future. I have only one desire: that I should live my life to glorify God. My cousin wanted to marry me. He doesn't believe in any god. I told him about Jesus. He said, "You be as you like." For four years he has been waiting for me. I like him, but if God doesn't want him to be in my life, I don't want him because I can't live without my God. Sometimes, if I think I'm OK marrying a Hindu guy that my family selects, I become fearful. I don't know what I'm doing and I'm confused. Sometimes I leave it in God's hand. But when my cousin calls me, I talk to him and mention to my mom that I spoke with him. But I don't want to take any decision according to my wish. I want to know what God will is, and I want to wait upon Him. I'm confused and afraid of my future. Whenever I talk with my cousin, I feel guilty about praying. I don't know what to do. I'm crushed inside.
Please give me some suggestions.
Answer:
"If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple" (Luke 14:26).
As Christians, we honor our parents (Ephesians 6:1-2) but that doesn't mean that parents come before Jesus. At some point, you will have to decide to be open about your faith, even if your parents reject you because of your choice. In fact, your current worries come about because you are hiding your belief. Your parents assume you will follow their Hindu beliefs and so are looking for a Hindu husband for you. Remember that Jesus said, "Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 10:31-32).
I don't recommend marriages where the husband and wife have different religions because it becomes a continual point of contention. It becomes especially hard when children come along. They see their parents disagree and usually grow up believing in nothing.
Response:
Thank you so much. I'll live my life for my God. I'll pray for my family. Wherever I go, however much difficulty I may face, I'll pray and live for Jesus, my Savior and my love. I will give my life to him. Let his will be done.
