Enlightenment

When the Purpose Is Clear

Waking up my daughter each morning—especially when she’s in her usual sleepy state—takes a great deal of patience. I always try to wake her gently, hoping not to start the day on a sour note. But when she remains dazed…

Kim Hyeon-im from Suncheon, Korea

Wheat-Flour Tteokguk

During my childhood, my mother ran a tight household, raising and feeding six children. One day, when I came home from school, she announced loudly: “Tonight, we’re having tteokguk!” “Really? Wow!” Back when rice was scarce, tteokguk was a rare…

Ahn Seong-bun from Busan, Korea

Returning Love

One day, as I was getting on a bus, my usual transit card failed to register. Worried about holding up the passengers behind me, I moved to the seat just behind the driver and kept trying to scan it, but…

Kim Min-jeong from Changwon, Korea

The Older We Get, the More We Resemble Our Parents

I recently paid a long-overdue visit to my cousin. As I stepped through the door and saw her coming to greet me, I was momentarily taken aback; it felt as though my late aunt, who had passed more than a…

Choi Heon-chim from Wonju, Korea

Everything That Was Written in the Past

I once attended a lecture titled “A Nation That Forgets Its History Has No Future.” As we revisited Korea’s painful past, someone remarked, “At the time, our country was powerless, so there was nothing we could do.” The speaker responded…

Shim Hyeon-ji from Guri, Korea

Two Are Better Than One

To mark the upcoming biblical festival, I joined the Zion members from my university club in a special challenge: to offer a united prayer ten thousand times over forty days. At first, the goal seemed daunting—perhaps even impossible. Two are…

Choi Yun-jeong from Daejeon, Korea

Like the Double Bass

I’ve always had a fondness for the New Songs arranged as instrumental pieces. During choir performances, my ears are naturally drawn to the orchestra’s accompaniment, and the more I listen, the more I marvel at the beauty of the harmonies…

Jahng Min-gyeong from Seongnam, Korea

My Reward Is With Me

While tidying my room, I came across a bundle of old award certificates tucked away in a drawer. The paper had yellowed with time, but the memories they stirred were vivid and fresh. As an elementary school student, I eagerly…

Kim Yu-bin from Goyang, Korea

Running With Purpose

While tidying up my desk, I came across an old study planner from my final year of high school. Inside, I found a verse that had helped me endure one of the most trying seasons of my life:
 Therefore I…

Lee Se-eun from Busan, Korea

As the Lord Forgave You

Whenever conflict arose from a difference of opinion, I was quick to place the blame on the other person. It takes two hands to clap, after all. But beneath my inability to reach out first with an apology, there lay…

Hong Hyeon-ji from Suwon, Korea

So That We May All Understand

It happened during a conversation with a new member. As we spoke, the sister who had been giving thanks to God for coming in the flesh to save His children suddenly brightened, her eyes sparkling as if struck by a…

Song Yeon-ju from Seongnam, Korea

A Sure Proof

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates…

Sarrah Bracamonte from Quezon City, Philippines

A Helpful Tip for Building Good Habits

I recently returned from a three-week overseas short-term mission. Because the time was brief, the schedule was so tightly packed that each day blurred into the next. For the entire first week, we focused solely on preaching. I had never…

Kim Su-jeong from Daegu, Korea

Preparing for Heaven

I work at a construction site. At the start of each project, before a single structure is built, we set up a temporary office—a prefab shelter where the site managers work. At first, the space feels unfamiliar and awkward. But…

Kim Mi-yeong from Daejeon, Korea

Lest They Return to the World

When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, “If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” Ex 13:17…

Jo Min-ah from Seongnam, Korea

Only Thanksgiving

I once read in a sermon collection that angels gather our prayers in baskets and present them before God. In the story, two angels stood before the throne—one holding a basket of thanks, the other a basket of wishes. The…

Matthew Taillefer from Edmonton, Canada

I’m Looking for My Mom

I stopped in my tracks when I saw a flyer that read, “I’m Looking for My Mom.” I had often seen notices about parents looking for their missing children, but this—an adult searching for their mom—felt unfamiliar. The flyer included…

Byeon A-yeong from Yeosu, Korea

A Prayer for Sinners

When I first encountered the account of Stephen, the first Christian martyr, I was deeply shaken. I could not comprehend how he could pray for the very people who had gathered to kill him, even to his final breath. But…

Seong Yu-jin from Daegu, Korea

My Heavenly Family Is With Me

It was during a time of trial in my faith. What had seemed like a minor test gradually tightened its grip on me until it came to dominate every part of my spiritual life. As I failed to overcome the…

Jeong Ji-seon from Bratislava, Slovakia

Lowering Yourself Makes It Possible

After experiencing a decline in my physical condition and receiving an early diagnosis of diabetes, I began sport climbing a few months ago at my husband’s suggestion. Climbing an artificial wall, gripping colorful holds and adjusting your posture as you…

Park Seon-hye from Gimhae, Korea