Writing: Autobiography

unsplash-logoZac Durant Dr. Paul T. P. Wong’s autobiography, A Lifelong Search for Meaning: Lessons on Virtue, Grit, and Faith, is published in weekly installments. Stay updated here. So much injustice, so much pain—yet what a wonderful life I’ve had! Some people have asked me, “What is the evidence that you have suffered so much? From reading your autobiography, I don’t see much suffering.” They are probably thinking in terms of dramatic or physical suffering, as described in Viktor Frankl’s (1985) Man’s Search for Meaning, but my suffering is more psychological than physical. Here is a list of major psychological injuries, including...

unsplash-logoRoman Kraft Dr. Paul T. P. Wong’s autobiography, A Lifelong Search for Meaning: Lessons on Virtue, Grit, and Faith, is published in weekly installments. Stay updated here. “Don’t try to get in where you are excluded; go to where you are wanted. If nobody wants you, then create your own club.” This is the painful lesson I have learned from a life experience of being excluded. This is the second most difficult chapter to write in my autobiography, second only to Chapter 18. In both cases, I went through “hell” before coming out stronger and wiser. In writing this chapter, I...

unsplash-logoLuke Michael Dr. Paul T. P. Wong’s autobiography, A Lifelong Search for Meaning: Lessons on Virtue, Grit, and Faith, is published in weekly installments. Stay updated here. It has felt like death by a thousand cuts, but I have survived the brutal and biased peer review process. This is one of the areas in my life where prayer has not spared me from many unfair rejections. This is also one of the areas where my heroic efforts to bring about reform have failed miserably. In spite of all these defeats, I still believe that my efforts were not wasted; eventually, they...

unsplash-logoThomas Tucker Dr. Paul T. P. Wong’s autobiography, A Lifelong Search for Meaning: Lessons on Virtue, Grit, and Faith, is published in weekly installments. Stay updated here. This was my fourth and longest lecture tour in Taiwan. I ask myself: Why am I so attracted to Taiwan? Why do I keep on going back, again and again? There are many reasons for my love affair with Taiwan. At an emotional level, I feel fully identified with Taiwan, probably because we are both struggling to have our voices heard when the world only listens to money and power. Furthermore, we both feel...

unsplash-logoArthur Miranda Dr. Paul T. P. Wong’s autobiography, A Lifelong Search for Meaning: Lessons on Virtue, Grit, and Faith, is published in weekly installments. Stay updated here. Most likely, I have attended and served more churches than any of my readers because I have resided in many cities and lived a long life. All my adult life, I have explored ways to create a healthy Christian community both intellectually and practically—without much success. Though this is consistent with the leitmotif of my life as a constantly defeated warrior, I did not give up my search for a better way to serve....

unsplash-logoMohamed Nohassi Dr. Paul T. P. Wong’s autobiography, A Lifelong Search for Meaning: Lessons on Virtue, Grit, and Faith, is published in weekly installments. Stay updated here. As Watchman Nee (2009) has said, “I do not consecrate myself to be a missionary or a preacher. I consecrate myself to God to do His will where I am, be it in school, office, or kitchen, or wherever He may, in His wisdom, send me” (p. 83). This is also my concept of the normal Christian life. Ever since my conversion (Ch. 17), I have always been involved in Christian ministry. I answered...

unsplash-logoNeONBRAND Dr. Paul T. P. Wong’s autobiography, A Lifelong Search for Meaning: Lessons on Virtue, Grit, and Faith, is published in weekly installments. Stay updated here. This is the darkest chapter of my life, but it is also the most significant milestone in my spiritual journey. Paradoxically, my greatest pain and defeat has turned out to be my greatest satisfaction and triumph. This is also the most difficult chapter to write. I have even struggled for many, many days wondering whether I should tell my story or keep silent forever. My dilemma is very much like that of a twice-wounded mother...

unsplash-logoQuino Al Dr. Paul T. P. Wong’s autobiography, A Lifelong Search for Meaning: Lessons on Virtue, Grit, and Faith, is published in weekly installments. Stay updated here. In the past, it was always difficult for me to share my conversion without being overwhelmed by emotion because it was a deeply transformative experience, touching the innermost recesses of my being. It comes as a surprise that I am now able to recount this experience without getting a lump in my throat or tears in my eyes, but it remains a “sacred chamber” or “holy ground” where God found me. It has been...