The Church of God Young Adult Worker Volunteer Group (ASEZ WAO) carried out a tree-planting activity. Members from the Chungnam region gathered in Cheongso-myeon, Boryeong City, each holding a hoe in one hand and a bag of saplings in the other as they made their way up Mount Oseosan. Since we had to leave the hiking trail to reach the planting site, the path became increasingly steep and difficult. The higher we climbed, the more tiring it became, and eventually, my legs could barely support me.
Finally we reached our destination and checked the area where the trees would be planted. It was desolate; stripped branches from logging and faded soil were all that remained. We diligently planted the saplings we had brought into the empty ground. When the work was finished, we sat on a rock to eat gimbap and looked out over the mountain. The tiny saplings planted one by one already gave the slope the look of a forming forest. Thinking that the small tree I planted would one day grow tall like the mature trees on the neighboring mountain and become a home for plants and animals filled me with pride.
In that moment, those saplings reminded me of the brothers and sisters in Zion. Our Heavenly Father and Mother restored the truth of life on Mount Zion, which had become barren after the disappearance of the New Covenant, and gathered Their children—like young saplings—one by one, rebuilding Zion into a beautiful, life-filled place. After experiencing firsthand how hard it is to climb a mountain and plant and care for trees, I felt the love of Father and Mother even more deeply. I’m truly thankful that They not only planted me in Zion but also continue to help my faith grow—pouring down the rain of the Holy Spirit and shining the light of truth on me.
Just as healthy trees grow together to form beautiful landscapes and enrich the ecosystem, I, too, want to grow into someone who brings positive influence to the world and brings joy to God.