Enlightenment

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 do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 1 Co 9:26 Back then, I would always end my day in prayer after evening self-study sessions at school. But as time went on, I began to worry: was I failing at both my studies and my life of faith? One evening, weighed down by discouragement, I opened my Bible, and this verse caught my eye. In that moment, I realized I had…

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 a quiet pride—the belief that I was right, and they were wrong. Then, a verse struck me with sudden force, piercing through my stubborn heart: Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Col 3:13–14 When I thought of how God had forgiven my sins, I was ashamed of…

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 thought. “If God came to this earth in the flesh,” she said, “then He wouldn’t be in heaven at the same time . . . But perhaps He could go back and forth without us knowing? Maybe He could return to heaven in His spiritual form whenever He wished—after all, He is God!”
 Her innocent imagination made me smile. Then, a passage from The Mystery of God and the Spring of the Water of Life came to mind. “Sister, imagine…

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 his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Ro 5:6–8
 I often think back to the time before I met Heavenly Father and Mother. Life felt aimless, and each day was a quiet struggle. I was easily angered even by the smallest things. But God reached out and took hold of my hand when I was lost, revealing a love so deep that He gave His own life to save mine. As…

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 spent a full day preaching even in Korea, so by evening, the soles of my feet ached terribly. In those moments, I couldn’t help but think of our Heavenly Father; how much more must His feet have hurt, having walked endlessly throughout His life in search of His lost children? On particularly exhausting days, I would collapse into bed the moment we returned to our lodgings. And yet, amid that physically demanding routine, something unexpected happened: a habit I had…

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 after a year or two, it becomes surprisingly comfortable. Company documents begin to pile up, and I gradually bring in personal items one by one. Soon, it feels almost like a permanent office. The inconvenience fades away. Then, quite suddenly, we were told to pack up. The temporary building would be dismantled, and we were to move into the newly completed structure. Though I had always known the prefab office was only temporary, I had become so used to it…

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 The Israelites, at the slightest hardship, would grumble and complain, yet God always placed their well-being first. Though there was a shorter route to Canaan, He deliberately led them along a longer path. He knew that if they encountered war, their hearts might waver and they would long to return to Egypt.
 As I reflected on this, I thought of Heavenly Mother. She, too, fears that her fragile children might be swept away by the storms of the world and…

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 basket of wishes was always overflowing, while the basket of thanks remained nearly empty. The angel holding it looked sorrowful, his face heavy with disappointment. Reading this, I was struck with sudden awareness.
 Lately, my responsibilities at work have increased. At first, I felt burdened by my manager’s growing expectations, and resentment began to build in my heart. Naturally, my prayers began to shift: “Please don’t let me work overtime,” “Please make things as easy as they were before.” These…

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 a childhood photo of the person alongside a recent one, along with details about the location where she was first found as a child.
 “If you remember me or know anything about my mom, I’m earnestly waiting to hear from you.” Reading that final line, I found myself stunned for a moment. How lonely must her birthdays have been—how desolate her passing days. I could only imagine how often she must have wandered the streets where she was found, desperately…

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 Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats…

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 trial and spent my days in anguish, I felt utterly alone in the world. With tears, I prayed to God, asking for the strength to endure; and one day, I came across a verse that felt like an answer to that prayer: “Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.” 1 Ki 19:18 The prophet Elijah, fleeing from Jezebel, an idol worshiper who sought his life,…

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 ascend, demands constant attention. Even the slightest lapse in focus can throw off your balance and cause a fall. When I keep pushing forward in awkward positions just to reach a hold, my arms soon wear out and give in. Though it may appear to rely mostly on arm strength, climbing actually depends on the legs and core that maintain balance and control through the power of your lower body. One day, I was about to skip a particular hold…

Park Seon-hye from Gimhae, Korea

Feed My Sheep

I often wondered: Who does God consider the one who loves Him most? Is it the person who prays earnestly in all things? The one who diligently studies the Bible? The one who glorifies God through good deeds? As I reflected on these questions and examined myself, I found the answer in a single passage: Jesus said to Simon Peter, “. . . do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” . . . “Take care of my sheep.” . . . “Feed my sheep.” Jn 21:15–17
 Three times, Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him, and each time, He gave the same instruction: If you…

Kim A-yeong from Seongnam, Korea

I Lay Down My Life of My Own Accord

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. “I am the good shepherd; . . . The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it…

Bae Su-jin from Daejeon, Korea

Breaking Up the Unplowed Ground of My Heart

The Bible likens our hearts to soil. Now in the third year of my career, I’ve begun to feel as though the soil of my heart is dry and cracked. On the Sabbath, it is watered with God’s word of the living water, but during the workweek, it gradually dries out again. I often wondered why I couldn’t hold on to the water of life throughout the week. While examining my faith, I found the answer in a single verse: Sow righteousness for yourselves, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, until he comes and showers his righteousness on you. Hos 10:12 To soften unplowed ground, it…

Jeong U-hee from Jeonju, Korea

Letting Go of the Past, Toward a Brighter Future

I am a physical therapist. In my effort to become a better healer for my patients, I strive continuously to improve. As the years go by, I gain knowledge not only from textbooks but more meaningfully through the patients themselves. At times, these encounters even offer me profound spiritual insight. One thing I’ve come to notice through consultations is that many patients believe their current pain stems from past illnesses or long-ago injuries. This belief is especially common among those who feel their initial treatment was mishandled or that their suffering was caused by someone else’s mistake. Yet, in most cases, pain in the muscles or joints arises from current lifestyle habits or behavioral patterns. Patients who refuse to acknowledge…

Jeong U-cheol from Wonju, Korea

Writing One Line of Thanks a Day

While on mission in India, I made a quiet resolution with the brothers and sisters there: to write one line of gratitude each day. For one full year devoted to the gospel, we wanted to remain mindful of God’s tireless work on our behalf—His daily love, His constant care—and respond with thanks, one line at a time. In the beginning, it felt almost too easy. In a foreign land, every challenge led us to pray, and every answered prayer stirred immediate gratitude. A safe flight into India, finding a home that suited our needs, meeting a soul with a deep thirst for the Word, blessings poured in abundance . . . my daily line of thanks often spilled into two,…

Park So-yeon from Seongnam, Korea

God’s Power

I recently moved some items. While there were a few light items I could carry with ease, there were others I simply couldn’t move on my own. As several of us joined forces to carry them, I found myself thinking how unexpectedly limited human strength can be. At the same time, I was struck anew by the greatness of God’s power. “He spreads out the northern skies over empty space; he suspends the earth over nothing.” Job 26:7 When I think that God who suspends the Earth in space is our Parents, my heart overflows. I’m filled with the firm conviction that nothing is impossible with God. As I walk the path of the gospel, I continually feel the helping…

Lee Dae-u from Gyeongsan, Korea

How Many Languages Are There in the World?

As I watched brothers and sisters spreading the gospel across the globe, I found myself reflecting on language. How many languages are there in the world? It is said that there are roughly 7,100. But the number I have in mind is about 8 billion—the population of the world. Each person speaks from a unique life shaped by their own experiences, values, and inner world. Even in the same situation, people often arrive at different conclusions. A single word or phrase can be interpreted in countless ways depending on who hears it, just as each person has their own way of expressing thoughts and emotions. Because we all communicate from such diverse perspectives, truly understanding one another is never simple.…

Ju Yeong-ho from Seoul, Korea

When Jesus Saw Their Faith

Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Mark 2:3–5 The reason the paralyzed man was forgiven of his sins was that Jesus was pleased with the faith of those who brought him. While sharing the truth, I sometimes encounter people who respond sharply, unable or unwilling to understand. In such moments, I may feel tempted to give up and walk away. But…

Kim Nam-suk from Changwon, Korea