Life story of D.G.S. Dhinakaran
11th February 1955 is a red letter day in my life. It was on that day that the Lord intervened in my life and gave me the assurance of His salvation as per the following scripture. "....Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners..."(1 Timothy 1:15)
In His mercy, He has also preserved this salvation in my life, all these 50 years, according to His promise, "He is also able to save us to the uttermost"(Hebrews 7:25).
As I look back upon these 50 years and realize the marvelous way in which His goodness and Mercy has followed me, I felt that if I share with you as to how He did this in my life, all these years, it would greatly encourage you. Hence I am opening my heart to you and writing this letter, I am sure as you read it you would also be benefited.
Song Replaces Sorrow:
"He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay, And set my feet upon a rock, And established my steps. He has put a new song in my mouth; Praise to our God; Many will see it and fear, And will trust in the LORD"(Psalm 40:2).
These verses clearly depict the experience that I received on 11th February 1955.
I was the only son my beloved parents had. To sustain our little family, my father was slogging as a poor teacher from 6 O' Clock in the morning to 11.00 O' Clock in the night everyday. As a result of this great strain, sometimes blood used to ooze out of his throat. My mother was being tormented by the cursed disease of Epilepsy. It was the cherished dream of all the three of us that I should join on Engineering College after the School education. But our dreams were shattered as I could not get a seat in any Engineering College. I got admission only for a degree course in B.Sc.(B.S) I was totally disinterested in this and hence did not concentrate in my studies. This ultimately resulted in my failure in the exams. So I left my studies and started hunting for a job. Even there, I met with only failure. So the future looked bleak and dark to me.
This desperate situation drove me to the extreme step of contemplating to commit suicide. That fateful day of 11th February 1955 dawned. As I was having my breakfast with my dear parents, my heart crumbled within me. As I looked at their loving faces, I mumbled within me, "This is the last time I shall be able to look at my beloved parents." I came out of my house. After taking a few steps forward, I turned back and had the last look at the gate. The following thought choked me. "A few hours more! As I jump before the speeding train my body will be crushed and torn asunder. When my mangled body would be brought in through this same gate, Oh! how my parents will wail and scream." A lump came in my throat and tears rolled down my cheeks. Nonchalantly I walked on towards the railway track.
I little realized that the Savior from above was looking at me. He prompted my uncle Mr. Alex G. Rathinam who was working in the police department and who knew Him personally to intervene in my way. Even without knowing my inner struggles and destructive intentions, he began to share with me about the love of Christ. As he explained to me, as to how 2000 years ago, the Almighty God, came down to the earth for our sake, how He experienced all the sufferings that we encounter today and ultimately, out of pure and genuine love for us, gave His life and blood on the cross for the whole mankind, it was like honey to my ears! The story of the cross gave me new hope in life. As per my uncle's advice I returned home, knelt down in my room and sobbed muttering, "Lord! Please show me the real condition of my heart as it is. Cleanse me also with the precious and holy blood that you have shed on the cross." That was all! All my past life and its shortcomings flashed before me like a live movie and on seeing them my heart was broken to pieces. For four long hours I cried out telling Him, "Lord! forgive me." What a wonder! A peace 'which surpasses all understanding' (Philippians 4:7), filled my heart and I could feel it becoming divinely pure. I could not contain my inner joy! I ran out to my mother and told her about my exciting experience. When my father returned home from the school, I ran and hugged him and sought his pardon for all my misdeeds - with uncontrollable tears. I did the same thing with all my old friends whom I had hurt in the past. All of them unanimously said one thing: "Dhinakaran you have really met God! It is not your words that confirm this but the glow on your countenance."
A hope for the future was born in me. In the place of my lamenting, "Where then is my hope? As for my hope, who can see it?"(Job 17:15), my heart began to rejoice within me saying, "The Lord shall be my salvation"(Job 13:16) and "My hope is in You"(Psalm 39:7) like Job and David said.
After a while, I was traveling by train for nearly three hours to appear for a selection exam in a Bank in a place which was nearly 100 miles away from my home - town. Without my realizing it, all the way, I had been singing through the entire 3 hour journey. One respectable lady sitting near me fondly inquired me, "Son, Who are you? Where are you going?" She added, "Your song thrilled me and your Godliness moves my heart. If you don't have any place to stay in this town, you better come straight to my house." So saying she handed over me her address also.
Yes! Hope and joy brought a new song on my lips on the 11th February 1955. Very soon I got a good job in a Bank and was exalted to a high post in my secular job as envisioned by me.
