Forsaking Idols, Meeting Jesus

May 1, 2025 / by Santhy Ramanathan

I was born and raised in a Hindu family; we were spirit worshippers. My search for God began when I was 18 years old after witnessing my mother’s passing.

This painful event led me to ask life’s deepest questions:

Who is God?
Who am I?
What is the purpose of my life?
Where will I go after I die?

Every day, I spent over an hour in Hindu meditation, asking God to give me light and bring me out of darkness. I promised that once He revealed Himself to me, I would tell the world that He is the true God.

My search for my Creator continued for ten years. At 28 years old, a friend invited me to a Christian retreat. I initially refused, as it was the graduation day for my Hindu meditation class. However, I felt deeply unsettled about not participating.

I returned home, exhausted, and passed out for hours. Upon waking, my legs were swollen, and I was in severe pain, unable to walk. Terrified, I prayed for another chance and promised I would attend the retreat. At the retreat I spoke with counselors who taught me about Jesus’ atoning sacrifice on the cross, and I listened to sermons.

A pastor preached the gospel and told us to surrender all of our idols at the foot of the Cross and accept Jesus Christ as our Savior. I closed my eyes, and in my mind’s eye, I surrendered pictures in my home of two famous Hindu gurus at the foot of the Cross. In that very moment, I saw those images flushed away.

It was as if a curtain had been lifted. I had a vision of the Risen Lord Jesus standing before me with a concerned expression. Our eyes met, and He took His heart and gave it to me. His arms extended longer and longer until His heart reached my hands. As I held it, His heart transformed into a flame. I placed it on my forehead, and instantly, I felt something like a bat fluttering in my chest, trying to hide from the Light that had entered me. For ten seconds, I felt as if something was choking me—until it fled.

This is my story—how Jesus saved me from my sins and gave me the gift of eternal life.

All glory to Father God for His grace, love, and salvation!

Santhy and her husband Mohan have attended East White Oak Bible Church for 17 years. Santhy has volunteered in Children’s Ministry and the nursery. In her free time she loves reading, connecting with her family in India, and spending time with dogs and cats.