Enlightenment
We share big and small enlightenments we have in our daily lives, walking with God.
Over All, Put on Love
In Zion, the grace and love of God abound. Yet at times, I find myself face-to-face with the sinful nature hidden deep within my soul—unable to overlook a brother or sister’s small mistake, quick to point out their faults instead of offering understanding. In those moments, I feel a deep sorrow, thinking, “I must have committed a grievous sin in heaven.” One day, I came across a Bible verse that opened my eyes and brought quiet conviction: Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 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…
Yu Jeong-su from Incheon, Korea
Inspiration, the Stirring of the Soul
“Eureka!” This was the cry of Archimedes, the ancient Greek mathematician and physicist, when he discovered a way to determine whether a king’s crown was made of pure gold. The idea struck him while bathing, as he observed water overflowing in proportion to the volume of his body—an insight that led to the discovery of what we now call the principle of buoyancy, now known as Archimedes’ principle. When a new idea takes hold and leads to a breakthrough, we say we’ve been “inspired.” Inspiration is often defined as “a brilliant thought or stimulus that sparks creativity or action.” People draw inspiration from their surroundings, transforming it into art, invention, or meaningful change. The Chinese characters for “inspiration (靈感)” mean…
Kim Min-seong from Suwon, Korea
Beautiful Words
There are moments when a single word can shape the entire mood of a situation. A sharp remark, spoken in irritation, can escalate conflict, while a gentle, considerate word can defuse tension and restore peace. The choice of words and the direction a conversation takes often rests entirely in our hands. If a fleeting decision can produce such different outcomes, what kind of speech should be found in a believer who follows God? A person finds joy in giving an apt reply—and how good is a timely word! Pr 15:23 In the friction of human relationships, controlling our words is not always easy. Pride can flare, and we may feel the urge to win or prove a point. Yet the…
Son Chae-eun from Daegu, Korea
The Path to Heaven
It was not long after I had begun driving. Since it was my first time taking the route from work to home on my own, my mom brought her car to my workplace and led the way, driving ahead of me on the commute home. After we arrived safely and I stepped out of the car, she said to me: “Why were you driving so close behind me? What if you had hit me?” “I was afraid another car might slip in between us,” I replied. Quite literally, I had been anxious about losing sight of her. I followed her car closely, almost as if I were chasing it. “Oh, even if a car had come between us, I would’ve…
Lee Su-bin from Gangneung, Korea
Helping a Baby Bird
My husband, daughter, and I were returning home when we noticed a small group of children—likely upper elementary schoolers—gather near the front gate of our apartment building. They stood in a circle, peering down at something on the ground. “Is it dead? What do we do?” Their anxious voices made it impossible to simply walk past, so I stepped closer and asked what was going on. “A bird fell from the tree,” one of them replied. “We don’t know what to do.” Lying where the child pointed was a baby bird, motionless and curled up as if lifeless. Unsure of what to do, my husband, the children, and I decided to call emergency services. But the response was disappointing; 119…
Seo Jin-hee from Busan, Korea
How to Practice the New Command
At first, I did not fully understand the meaning of the new command God gave us: “Love one another.” The reason was simple; I found it impossible to gauge the measure of love one should have for another. During a study meeting, I came to realize that the command includes a premise: “As I have loved you.” Only then did I begin to comprehend the depth of love God spoke of. Yet even with that understanding, I couldn’t help but wonder: Can I truly put this into practice? We cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well. 1 Th 2:8 The members…
Jahng Min-gyeong from Seongnam, Korea
Because God Loved You
After coming to understand the truth, one question lingered in my mind and refused to leave: “Out of all the people in the world, why did God choose me?” I wasn’t particularly wise, nor had I earnestly sought God. It felt humbling—almost undeserved—to have received such a precious blessing. The LORD did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. But it was because the LORD loved you and kept the oath he swore to your ancestors that he brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Dt 7:7–8 My heart stirs at these words: that I was not…
Jeong Hee-jong from Munich, Bavaria, Germany
Safe Driving
Before taking the written exam for my driver’s license, I attended a mandatory safety course. As I studied the array of road signs and the long list of traffic laws every driver must follow, I couldn’t help but wonder, “How could anyone memorize all this and apply it while actually driving?” But when the instructor began to speak about yielding on the road, my attention sharpened. At the heart of safe driving were two essential principles: consideration and yielding. Whether changing lanes, making unprotected left or right turns, or navigating narrow alleyways and roundabouts, the key to arriving safely at one’s destination lay in observing road conditions, proceeding with caution, and being mindful of fellow drivers. In many ways, we…
Park Min-ji from Seoul, Korea
A Faith Check
To welcome the new year, I climbed a mountain with a Zion sister for the first time in a while. Though recent snowfall had left patches of snow along the trail, I assumed it wouldn’t be much of a problem and began the hike without hesitation. But it wasn’t long before regret set in. The packed snow had turned to ice, making the path no different from a sheet of glass. While I slipped and fell repeatedly after only a few steps, my companion climbed steadily, never once losing his footing, even without any special gear. The difference lay in his shoes. The soles of his boots were sturdy and well-suited for the terrain. Mine were not. Though they caused…
Kim Ga-gyeong from Gwangju, Korea
Like Learning a Language
Learning a foreign language in an unfamiliar land was far from easy. After much trial and error, I began by memorizing simple greetings, basic words, and short phrases step by step, like a child learning to walk. Gradually, my efforts bore fruit. After a year, I found myself able to carry on everyday conversations with relative ease. With the basics in place, I assumed my language skills would naturally improve over time. I became complacent and allowed my studies to slip. But I was mistaken. My progress stalled completely. In fact, I began to forget words and expressions I had once memorized so diligently. It felt as though I was regressing. Realizing this, I resolved to begin again. The more…
Mun So-yeong from Mexico City, Mexico
Let Me Serve
There’s a saying: “Don’t let familiarity make you forget what is precious.” It’s true when we grow accustomed to people, objects, or situations, we often lose sight of their value. One day, as I flipped through the pages of the New Song book to play the piano, a Bible verse written in the margin caught my eye: Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Php 2:3 I paused to reflect: how many times have I greeted my brothers and sisters in Zion with a warm smile or a gentle tone? The moments were embarrassingly few. In times of stress or frustration, I had—without meaning to—let sharp words slip, wounding those I dearly…
Jahng Ji-eun from Pyeongtaek, Korea
A Life Sustained by Mother’s Grace
Back in my school days, I had a hard time waking up in the morning. Even though my mom was busy preparing breakfast, she would go back and forth between the kitchen and my room, trying to rouse me from sleep. When I still wouldn’t wake up, she’d sigh and say, “Waking you up every morning is going to shorten my life.” Thanks to her perseverance, I received a perfect attendance award at graduation, and my mom was honored with a “Proud Mother” award. She was overjoyed, saying she never imagined she’d receive a prize because of her daughter. Even after I became an adult, just a small gesture of care from me was enough to make her smile and…
Shin Mi-ae from Seoul, Korea
Nothing Is to Be Taken for Granted
My younger sister, now a college freshman, was set to attend the Worldwide Academic Year Opening Worship 2025 with our mom. It was the first time either of them had attended such an event, and both were visibly excited. Caught up in their enthusiasm, I offered to pack them lunchboxes. True to my word, I woke up early that morning and prepared their meals. After sending them off, I went back to sleep. When I woke up, a message from my mom was waiting: “We’ll enjoy the lunch, thank you.” Though I had used only simple ingredients, her words made me feel unexpectedly proud like I had done something truly meaningful. I recalled a time in college when I briefly brought…
Gahng Ji-yeon from Gimje, Korea
The Power of Shared Heart: Empathy
It is said that many companies today prefer to hire new employees with a high empathy quotient. Empathy—the ability to align one’s thoughts and feelings with those of another—is a powerful skill. Those who possess it often demonstrate humility, earning the trust and respect of their colleagues. God, too, teaches us to become such people within the faith. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Ro 12:15–16 The Bible teaches us to clothe ourselves with humility, to share in both the joys and sorrows of our brothers and sisters, and to strive for sincere…
Jo Mun-gyeong from Cheongju, Korea
Words and Glass
While helping with the construction of Zion, I once assisted in applying insulation film to the windows. That’s when I learned an important lesson: although wiping the film with a cloth or microfiber can make the surface look clean, it often leaves behind countless fine scratches. A professional advised us to use only soft flannel for cleaning, as it was gentle enough to avoid damaging the film. Yet even with flannel, scratches could still appear, revealing how delicate the surface truly was. “You see these marks left behind even after cleaning with flannel?” he said, pointing them out. “That’s not damage to the film; it’s the glass itself that’s already been scratched. Once the glass is marred, no matter how…
Ah Yeong-jun from Seongnam, Korea
A Gift
As a child, I would prepare small gifts for my parents on special occasions—their wedding anniversary, birthdays, and the like. My only source of money came from running errands or the modest allowance my parents themselves had given me. More often than not, it wasn’t enough. So I would go to my mom and ask for help in buying a gift—for her. Looking back, it was an endearingly ironic situation. Yet she would always smile, touched not by the gift itself, but by the heart behind it. Spiritually, it feels much the same. I long to bring joy to our Heavenly Father and Mother through the gospel work, yet without Their help, I can do nothing at all. Though my…
Lee Seong-jae from Seongnam, Korea
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 and half-asleep, I inevitably find myself raising my voice. As the clock ticks closer to school time, I end up ushering her out of bed and into the bathroom, often more forcefully than I intended. Yet tomorrow morning, I’m certain she’ll wake up early all on her own—because she’s going on a field trip to the ice rink. On days when there’s a school outing or even a simple picnic with her academy, she needs no prompting. Not only does…
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 treat like catching a star in the sky. I must have finished three or four bowls without pausing for breath. I can confidently say it was the most delicious tteokguk I had ever tasted. Years later, my mother confessed that it wasn’t made with rice cakes. Wanting to give her children a break from the daily meals of barley and wheat flour, she came up with an idea. She rolled out wheat-flour dough, sliced it thinly, and cooked it in…
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 it kept displaying an error message. I felt extremely flustered. Just then, a woman behind me said, “I’ll scan mine for you,” and kindly covered my fare before returning to her seat. I was so grateful. A few days later, a man who appeared to have some physical difficulty boarded the bus. He struggled with his wallet and couldn’t scan his card properly. Watching him fumble, I said, “Let me pay for you,” and tapped my card on his behalf.…
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 decade ago, was standing before me. Over the seven years since we’d last met, my cousin had grown into a striking likeness of her mother. Sensing my surprise, she was the first to speak. Being the youngest of four siblings, I had always heard that I resembled my father more than the others. Now, well into my forties, with gray threading through my hair and fine lines forming around my mouth, such comments have only grown more frequent. In fact,…
Choi Heon-chim from Wonju, Korea