‘What is it that I really want to do? Then what should I do right now for that work?’
After entering college, I lost my goal and directions both physically and spiritually and wandered around. I felt so frustrated that I didn’t know what I could do about it. Then I flew to Australia where my older sister was living and stayed there for two months, which became a once-in-a-lifetime turning point for me.
At first, I wasted my time as I did in Korea. Then I went out to preach with the local Zion members. All I could do was just stand by them because I didn’t speak good English, but the brothers and sisters still expressed their thanks. While doing that, I felt every day that Australia is a big continent and that there are so many people to preach the truth to.
The time to go back to Korea came. I was sad because there were so many things I realized while spending time with the local brothers and sisters. I felt terrible about all the times I had wasted, doing nothing. I should have worked hard, because the work God had entrusted me with was my direction and goal. I had been spending time uselessly.
As I understood that we needed many gospel workers, I didn’t wander around anymore. After returning home, I grabbed the reins of my faith more firmly so that I would not lose my focus again. My soul revived more and more as I focused on studying at school and actively participated in the blessed activities of Zion.
When the summer vacation started, I went back to Australia with my college student brothers and sisters who had the same will for the gospel as mine. Last time, I went to Brisbane, the capital of Queensland, but this time, I went to Sydney which is famous for the Opera House and a beautiful harbor.
I preached the gospel without resting for three weeks there. August in the southern hemisphere is winter. Most people’s reaction was cold like the weather in Sydney. However, we found the heavenly family members who were eagerly waiting for the news of salvation; it was like digging out gems from the dust. Many days, we were anxious without fruit, but we encouraged each other.
Among many people we met in that short period of time, there was a college student named Jun. At first, we didn’t think she was interested in the truth; she didn’t show any facial expressions and hardly answered our questions. She also felt uncomfortable with strangers, so I was quite surprised when she came to say goodbye to our short-mission team whom she got to know for a very short period of time. Honestly, I didn’t expect much from her when I asked her to keep studying the Bible and introduced her to the branch church leader who was there with us.
I got to meet her again after a half year. After coming back to Korea, I spent the 2nd semester and I was preparing to go back to Sydney during the winter vacation. Then I heard that one of the people we met in Australia last summer was reborn as a new heavenly family member. I wondered who that could be, and on my first day back in Sydney, someone called me while I was preaching with the brothers and sisters. I turned around and saw an angel so bright and beautiful running toward me. At first, I wondered if I had ever met her before, but then suddenly a shiver went down my spine. Oh my, it was Jun!
She asked me how I had been and how much she had missed me, and thanked me for having preached to her. The smile she had, while telling me what had been in her mind, was so beautiful and her voice was so tender. This was something I never knew before. I couldn’t believe that she was the same person I met a few months ago.
Just as family members were separated for a few years and met again, we patted each other on our backs. I asked her how she had been doing, and she told me what had happened. She said she studied the Bible carefully just as she promised us after we left, and saw how accurately the prophecies of the Bible had been fulfilled, which made her convinced of the truth and receive God. I was overwhelmed, seeing her so much brighter in the love of Heavenly Father and Mother and brothers and sisters.
With a heart-throbbing joy, I preached the gospel diligently. We believed that there must be a soul waiting for the light of truth, just like Sister Jun. And as we believed, eight lost brothers and sisters were found.
Before, I easily got excited and sad by small matters, and easily gave up if things didn’t seem to go well. I was hardly patient, and I didn’t know the joy of bearing fruit after waiting. This might be why I fell into a slump.
Through Sister Jun, I realized that the gospel mission is a special and noble work that sows love and happiness in people. I also realized that no work is in vain in God.
I can now confidently answer the questions that once did not leave my mind:
‘What is it that I really want to do?’
‘It is to shine the world with God’s love and preach happiness and hope for heaven to people!’
‘Then what should I do right now for that work?’
‘It is to do my best for my gospel mission every day without giving up even if fruit is not given immediately!’
This year is my last year in college, and I have many things to do: I will study hard at school, and after graduation I will do my best in society and preach the truth of God’s love and life to whomever I meet at every moment—this is the way I should go and the goal I’ve engraved on my heart.