Thank you for giving me the courage to bring forth my longing for inner truth in a world where efficiency and personal gain are valued more than sincerity and truth. I was once again reminded of the importance of reflecting on the essence of things rather than just their outward appearances.

When facing a problem, I have come to realize that making an effort to understand its fundamental causes and background, rather than just addressing its surface aspects, is crucial in truly perceiving and resolving it. As I go through life, I want to adopt an attitude of not avoiding thoughts but instead examining the reasons and backgrounds behind occurrences before taking action.

What have I been learning all this time? And what have I been teaching within the church? Surely, I have learned more than just knowledge—I have learned various emotions as well. Yet, the knowledge I acquired and the feelings that seemed like truth could neither persuade nor transform me.

When I discover a world filled with despair and see nothing but sin within myself, I begin to contemplate the truth. My tangled and polluted mind, shaped by worldly ideologies, tells me to feel grateful and reassured when I see those who are poorer and more miserable than I am. It tells me that death is an inevitable reality for all, so I should set aside my questions about life and simply focus on the present.

However, as my mind became overwhelmed with relentless questions, I found that avoiding them did not resolve the sorrow that I physically felt. Each day, as I woke up, I realized that I was inching closer to an unknown end, my powerless existence became evident. Watching people laugh and carry on as if life were good, I began to see them as if they were insane.

Every moment of life felt sorrowful. No matter how much power or wealth a person possessed, it all seemed meaningless before death. And so, every human experience felt drenched in sadness.

But then, I discovered a joy that is eternal and unchanging—one that removes all fear of death. I found it in the One who created me, in the covenant I share with Him. No teaching, no worldly wisdom, and nothing deemed “good” by this world could ever resolve the sorrow in my heart. However, the eternal and unchanging truth has allowed me to leave my sorrow behind and live with the hope of true joy.

Moreover, when God’s sincere heart was conveyed through the genuine obedience of another, it did not just change my heart—it led to a transformation in my actions.

When I was forced to conform to a framework set by someone else, without knowing why, it felt difficult and painful. But now, after experiencing a change of heart, my actions have followed naturally. The difficulty remains the same, yet it no longer feels burdensome. Now, I have the motivation to act with joy, even while carrying a heavy heart.

Thank you for teaching me the truth, which has motivated me. Because of this teaching, my life has been transformed. Now that I have come to know an essential truth about life, I have nothing but gratitude for all that has been given to me.

There are still many who remain in sorrow because they do not know God. I want to share with them the unchanging and eternal truth that I have come to know and experience—our God.

Just as I was transformed through the sincere obedience of another, I hope that those who encounter me will also come to discover the God who is true, faithful, and full of love. To fulfill this, I desire to continue changing into someone who is worthy of carrying God’s truth without shame.

Kim from Sungrak Church
January 12, 2025