Faith & Life

Endurance Hunting

Before humans invented and used weapons, how did they hunt animals that were faster and stronger than themselves? One of the simplest hunting methods—requiring no tools at all—is called “endurance hunting.” In this technique, a hunter selects an herbivore that has fallen behind the herd and pursues it relentlessly. Regardless of the distance or number of days it takes, the hunter continues the chase until the animal collapses from exhaustion. If the prey slips out of sight, the hunter follows its trail by reading signs such as droppings or chewed leaves. This method is also known as “persistence hunting” or “tracking hunt.” Wild animals can run very fast over short distances, but this comes at the cost of rapid energy…

At the Brink of Death

“Right now, I feel like I could embrace and love every person I’ve ever met. It wasn’t until I faced death and began saying goodbye to those I hold dear that I finally realized: life is a gift and a joy. Every moment can be a moment of happiness.” At the age of 28, a man convicted of anti-government activity stood on the verge of execution. He was granted five final minutes to reflect on his life. Facing death, the biting winter wind no longer felt cold, and the chill of the ground beneath his bare feet felt precious—beautiful, even. Regret overwhelmed him: Why hadn’t I realized this sooner? But just then, a command came through: the execution was halted.…

The Victory of the Army That Abandoned Its Spoils

An army that had been winning battle after battle suddenly saw its combat strength drop sharply. The general was puzzled to see his once agile soldiers—who used to scale steep ridges as if they had wings—now struggling even to walk across flat ground. He ordered the soldiers to open their packs. Out spilled piles of valuable spoils of war. Ignoring the soldiers' reluctance and regret, the general had all the spoils burned. From then on, the army regained its strength—and its victories.

Unfailing Love

As we walk the path of faith, there are times when we don’t understand why certain things happen, only to realize later that those very moments were filled with God’s hidden blessings. Whenever I’m tempted to rely on my own thoughts instead of trusting in God’s will, one verse always comes to mind: Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things. Ps 107:8–9 Reading this passage, I am reminded once again that Heavenly Father and Mother love us with unwavering constancy and always fill us with what is good. Looking back on my journey of faith, I see how…

Shin Jun-hee from Suwon, Korea

One Meal vs. Twenty Thousand Meals

It was a day I cooked for my father. Though I was tired, it was nothing compared with my father, who had come home late and hadn’t even had lunch. So I quickly washed the rice and set it to cook. “Thanks to you, I didn’t miss one meal today. Thank you.” After finishing his meal, my father said this with a smile. I felt proud, but suddenly found myself reflecting: “How many meals have I not gone without thanks to him?” As I thought back over the years I’ve lived, it must be well over twenty thousand meals. In that moment, I was struck by how much love and care I’ve received throughout my life. Seeing my father express…

Ju Yeong-ho from Seoul, Korea

Class President Campaign Promises

At the beginning of the semester, my second child—now in third grade—decided to run for class president. Here is the campaign pledge he wrote: If I become class president, I promise to be like a school supply for all of you. First, like a ruler, I’ll always adjust to match your needs. Second, like an eraser, I’ll help wipe away bad thoughts. Third, like tape, I’ll build strong and lasting friendships. Fourth, like a pencil, I’ll leave a meaningful mark in the history of class presidents. Please vote for me! As I read his pledge, I found myself reflecting on my own faith and making a renewed resolution. I want to meet my brothers and sisters where they are, keep…

Kim Deok-sun from Busan, Korea

Like a Doubles Match in Tennis

As I’ve been learning tennis, I’ve come to some realizations I’d like to share with my Zion family. In tennis, there are two main formats: singles and doubles. A singles match is played one-on-one, with players exchanging shots across the net using their rackets. Doubles, on the other hand, features two players on each team. While the basic rules remain the same, doubles places greater emphasis on teamwork and coordination. In singles, success depends largely on a player’s individual skill. But in doubles, while personal ability still plays a role, what truly determines the outcome is the chemistry and rhythm between teammates. One player typically positions near the net to handle short balls, while the other stays in the back…

Hwang Su-dong from Incheon, Korea

A Beautiful Exile: The Story of Dasan Jeong Yak-yong (I)

“Is there no book in the house? Do you have no talent in yourself? Are your eyes or ears not bright and sharp? Why are you trying to give up on your own?” From a letter Jeong Yak-yong wrote to his two sons Jeong Yak-yong, a reformer and scholar who systematized 18th-century Silhak (practical learning) thought; he is also known by his art name Dasan. At the age of 22, he passed the state examination and seemed to be walking a smooth path. However, after King Jeongjo, who cherished him, passed away, he was exiled for a staggering 18 years. For a government official, such a long exile could only be a time of hardship and thorns. But Jeong Yak-yong…

The Fledging Operation of a Kestrel Family

About a month after birds hatch, they leave their nest to begin life on their own—a process known as fledging. I once watched a program that followed the story of a kestrel family preparing for that moment. For reasons unknown, a pair of kestrels had built their nest on the balcony of a 13th-floor apartment, where they lovingly raised six chicks. Then one day, seemingly no different from the rest, one of the chicks flapped its wings more vigorously than usual. With quiet determination, it lifted into the air and left the nest. A few days later, another chick began scratching at the floor with its feet, flapping its wings anxiously. From across the way, the mother and father kestrels…

Yun Eun-ju from Goyang, Korea

Longing for Our Heavenly Home

All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. . . Heb 11:13–16 As a newspaper reporter, I had many opportunities to meet people from all walks of life. Among the most memorable were interviews with individuals who were incarcerated. I asked them what life in prison was…

Mira M.C. from Patna, BR, India

Chosen by God

“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.” Jn 15:18–20 This year, I turned twenty, a first-year university student, just beginning a new chapter of life. Before entering university, I often found myself worrying: “What if my classmates or seniors don’t like me because…

Jahng Su-ji from Seosan, Korea

After Conscious Sedation Endoscopy

I had a stomach endoscopy for the first time in my life. My husband had previously undergone the procedure without sedation and said it was difficult, so I chose to be sedated without hesitation. The nurse administered the sedative. One second, two seconds, three . . . and my memory faded. When I opened my eyes again, the procedure was already over. I was filled with gratitude to God for allowing me to go through it without any pain or discomfort. While I was resting in the recovery room, the doctor came by for rounds. But instead of mentioning the test results, he talked about something entirely unrelated. When I asked him about the results, he looked surprised and said:…

Kim Hyeon-im from Suncheon, Korea

Patience

The dictionary definition of patience is “enduring pain or hardship without giving up.” But beyond this meaning, many people have defined patience in their own ways: “Patience is the art of holding on to hope.” “Patience is the key that unlocks everything.” “Patience is a confident attitude that promises future rewards by choosing not to give up now.” “Patience is not just endurance—it’s preparation.” “Patience is the willingness to wait until the right moment comes for what you truly desire.” “Patience is the ability to maintain a good attitude while enduring.” Those who are patient will eventually receive something in return. But in order to gain something good from enduring, one must first overcome the desire to give up and…

The Waiter Rule

Not long ago, an executive from a major corporation assaulted a flight attendant on an airplane. Because of his absurd behavior, rooted in a sense of entitlement, the company he belonged to saw its carefully built reputation collapse in an instant. The executive was eventually dismissed from his post, and the company had to scramble to manage the aftermath. “If someone treats you well but acts arrogantly toward a waiter, he is not a good person.” This is a well-known saying in the United States, often referred to as the “Waiter Rule.” Among business leaders, there's also a common belief that “A person who mistreats waitstaff cannot become a successful manager.” It’s not just about how one treats a waiter;…

Emulsifier

Among the ingredients used to make cakes or cookies, there is something called an “emulsifier.” This emulsifier prevents oils and water, which normally do not mix well, from separating—helping the batter come together smoothly. While butter and water are essential ingredients in a delicious cake, the emulsifier that brings them together is just as indispensable. There are also people who play the role of an emulsifier among others. When conflicts—big or small—arise, they find common ground between opposing sides and help bring them together as one. Wherever such people are, harmony always follows.

Patience and Waiting

Patience means to endure pain or difficulty without giving up. People often talk about needing patience when calming their anger, exercising, dealing with a child’s tantrum, or staying awake when sleepy. On the other hand, waiting means to hope for a person or a time to come. You wait for uncooked rice to become a meal, for a friend to arrive, for a flower to bloom, or for wine to ferment. Patience focuses on the pain involved, while waiting emphasizes the belief that something will surely happen. Yet because both look toward a good outcome in the future, the two are often used interchangeably. True waiting always involves patience. If a farmer only wishes for a harvest without doing anything,…

Dust That Became a Popular Product

At a dyeing factory in Imabari, Japan, most of the textiles being dyed were towels, as many towel manufacturers were located nearby. Towels are made by combining countless fiber pieces, and during the dyeing and drying process, a large amount of dust is generated. This factory produced as much as 240 liters of dust a day. The cost of disposing of it was high, and it also posed a fire hazard—making it a major nuisance. Then one day, an employee suggested an idea: why not recycle the dust? The proposal was to turn the flammable dust into fire starters. As an experiment, they set fire to a clump of dust and found that it lit easily and made starting a…

The Grateful Owl

Stories about animals repaying kindness they’ve received from humans are called “tales of gratitude.” While such tales may sound like something out of a fairy tale, they do happen in real life. One day, a man in South Africa was leaving his house when he found an injured owl collapsed on the ground. He brought the owl home, treated its wounds, and provided it with a warm place to sleep and plenty of food. Thanks to his tender care, the owl recovered and, after about two months, was able to fly again. The man then released the owl back into the wild. But that wasn’t the end of the story. From that day on, the owl would occasionally return to…

Beneficial Shame

Shame is an emotion we feel when we’ve done something wrong or made a mistake. More precisely, it doesn’t arise simply from the wrongdoing itself, but from the fear that others will now see us as flawed because of it. That’s why people who make mistakes respond to shame differently depending on how others react to them. Dr. Anna Lembke, a professor of psychiatry at Stanford University School of Medicine, classifies shame into two types: “destructive shame” and “beneficial shame.” Destructive shame leads people to feel inferior, plunging them into depression, despair, or rebellion—especially when they are met with scolding or blame from others. Beneficial shame, on the other hand, includes a sincere desire to reflect on one’s mistake and…

Altruistic Love

On a loved one’s birthday, you carefully choose a gift, hoping to bring them joy. But when your own birthday comes around, they either forget or give you something far below your expectations. In such moments, many people think: “How could they do this to me?” This reaction stems from a desire to be compensated for the love you gave. When love is reciprocal—based on giving and receiving—there may be moments of happiness, but there are also negative emotions like anxiety and disappointment. However, when you genuinely wish for someone else’s happiness and success, with no expectation of return, that’s altruistic love. Acts of altruism—like helping someone or sharing with others—trigger the release of dopamine in the brain, bringing feelings…