Thoughts

The Power of Accountability

in Thoughts  by Jinha Kim 0 comments

I went to the gym today at 6 am for the first time in years.

I didn’t want to go; I was hungry, tired and cozy in my bed at 5:45 am when the alarm went off.  But I had promised two lovely people that I would be there and I did not want to disappoint them.  So I got dressed in the dark, tip-toed past the two boys’ rooms, and got in the car wondering, “Why did I sign up for this?”

I got stuck behind the rubbish truck all the way down the street, so I had a few more minutes to reflect.  “I’ll be glad I did it afterwards,” I told myself.  “It’s a good way to start the morning,” I reasoned.  “I paid a lot of money for the membership,” I reminded myself.

By the time the workout started, I was feeling more optimistic.  In the middle, I wanted to give up (and cancel my membership).  In the end, the three of us were exhausted but pleased with our first morning workout session together.

A passage from Ecclesiastes came to mind:

Two are better than one,

because they have a good return for their labor:

If either of them falls down,

one can help the other up.

But pity anyone who falls

and has no one to help them up.

Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.

But how can one keep warm alone?

Though one may be overpowered,

two can defend themselves.

A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Accountability is a word we don’t like very much; we like freedom and independence.  We don’t like the idea of burdening someone nor depending on anybody.

But the truth is, we need each other to stand strong.  Not only for the times when we need emotional support, but for the times when we need to stand up for something or someone. When truth is swept under, when the vulnerable need our voices, and when our conscience demands it but our courage is weak, we need accountability to push us to do right.

So pray for an accountability partner who is willing to ask you hard questions.  Find someone with whom you can be honest and vulnerable.  As you share and grow together, you may find that your friendship becomes a bond that “is not quickly broken” – a blessing for a lifetime.

He calls us friend

in Thoughts  by Jinha Kim 0 comments

One of the greatest blessings in life are good friends.

When we close our eyes and picture a good time, fond memory, or favourite pastime, most likely we are remembering moments with our friends.

Some of us are fortunate enough to have at least one “friend who sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24).

Now imagine Jesus, the Creator and Sustainer of life, turning to us and saying, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends . . . I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you” (John 15:13,15b).

Did you catch that?  Jesus calls us friends!

It is easy to read this passage in John (or any passage in the Bible for that matter) and hear the impersonal voice of an audio book narrator.  But go back and picture your best friend, who knows he or she only has a few more hours to live, leaning over to you and saying with trembling lips and soulful eyes, “You have been my friend…”

Wouldn’t you clutch your friend’s hand and say, “Thank you for being my best friend!  I don’t know what I’m going to do without you!”  Wouldn’t you weep if your friend’s death was to save your life?

Jesus could have saved us in a condescending swoop, like the way we release bugs outdoors instead of killing them.  Or He could have saved us like a superhero in spandex, using his powers to do the maximum good for as many unknown faces as possible.  He would still be worthy of worship.

But Jesus comes into the every day.  He walks with us.  He eats with us.  He talks with us and cries with us.  He knows us each by name.

Even His enemies saw that Jesus was not an esoteric snob or unapproachable celebrity with his posse of “cool guys”; they were annoyed that he was “a friend of tax collectors and sinners” (Matthew 11:19).  He treated them as His equals; He was “Immanuel” – one with us.

When Judas betrayed Him, Jesus still called him “friend” (Matthew 26:50).  It was not said with sarcasm, but with sorrow as His heart was broken.

In those last few hours of HIs life, Jesus poured our His heart to His closest friends, the twelve disciples.  He washed their feet and shared one last meal with them.  He called them friends and prayed for them.  After they had all fled and even denied knowing Him, after He had been abused and crucified, He prayed that they would be forgiven.  Then He died for them – and us.

“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends…” (John 15:13).

Jesus extends His friendship to us – He says tenderly, earnestly, “Here I am!  I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, ad they with me” (Revelation 3:20).

By saying yes to opportunities to know Him better, we are venturing into the best friendship we could ever have.  It may take several months or years, but we will come to know and love a God who longs to call us friends.

Giving our Best for the Worst of Times

in Thoughts  by Jinha Kim 0 comments

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way –” (A Tale of Two Cities, first line)

Charles Dickens’ description of the tumultuous years leading up to the French Revolution came to mind the other day as I was listening to the news on the radio.

The U.S. Election, terrorist attacks, crimes of fear, hate, and greed, spread of disease and rise of global warming – everything I heard made me despair in the state of the world.

But looking around me as I drove to my friend’s house in Melbourne, I saw parents leisurely pushing posh prams to the park, cafes bustling with business, and markets fully stocked of diverse produce.

How is it that in one corner of the world, there is a surplus of food, money, and peace while just around the bend there is such suffering, both silent and exposed?

Dickens was right; it is possible to live in a parallel universe where  pompous and poor, entitled and empty, indifferent and invisible are neighbours.  The growing inequality and injustice lead to a revolution that shatters and self-destroys.  Living for oneself and one’s own pursuit of happiness inevitably leads to a reckoning that is catastrophic not only for the guilty but the innocent. 

If his masterpiece isn’t warning enough for us of the dangers of indifference, let us turn to the greatest classic:

“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” (1 John 3:16-18)

God’s Word is a truth mirror that reveals the injustice, hypocrisy, and sinfulness in our souls and society.  God does not mince words; He cuts through our complacency to spur us to change.

So what can we do?

Laying down one’s life for our brothers and sisters doesn’t always require the guillotine or the cross.  It does however ask for compassion and love in action.

This week is Homelessness Week, as Bronwyn presented last week at church.  Here’s the list she presented on what we can do:

  1. Donate money, food, beanies, scarves, gloves, warm coats, and toiletries to the homeless directly or to organisations like Salvos, St Vincents, Wesley, Melbourne City Mission, ADRA, Pinch-a-poo, Swags for the homeless, Kids Under Cover, etc.
  2. Write to your local MP re: the need for affordable housing
  3. Volunteer at a drop-in centre, food van, or soup kitchen
  4. Donate a house
  5. Fundraise and raise awareness
  6. “Like” the charities on Facebook and share the posts
  7. Join campaigns towards affordable housing
  8. Participate in the Homelessness week events and activities Aug 1-8
  9. Volunteer time and money regularly

We may not be able to feed the world, but we can feed one. We may not be able to prevent wars, but we can heal personal relationships. We may not be able to reform national or international politics, but we can vote.  We may not be able to change hearts, but we can humble ours. 

Jesus has left us an example of laying down His life for us.  As we too carry His cross of unselfish service and sacrifice, we will experience true satisfaction in our search for meaning and security.  As we love as He loves, we will find the rest and community that our souls crave in this unsettled life of isolated screen time.

Then we can echo the sentiment reflected in the last line of A Tale of Two Cities, though lesser known than its first, but far more beautiful for its redemptive refrain (spoiler alert! the protagonist realises that individual sacrifice and love, however insignificant it may seem in the scale of the darkness and disaster all around, can impact generations and leave a legacy that endures):

“It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to, than I have ever known” (A Tale of Two Cities, last line).

It Takes a Village

in Thoughts  by Jinha Kim 0 comments

IMG_20160607_132038Nurturing a life is hard.  The nine months in the womb is just the beginning.  Once a child is born, he has to be fed (at first, every two hours night and day), burped, changed, bathed, and loved.  It takes a herculean effort not just from the mum, but from everyone around who is supporting that new life.

Such has been the case for us; Roy has been settling the baby at 4 am, my dad has been taking care of Micah all day and even in the middle of the night, my mum has rarely left the kitchen since she arrived in Melbourne, and my sister has changed more nappies than she can count.  Not to mention the midwives, nurses, doctors, and staff at the hospital and council that make sure that Joshua is healthy and thriving. It takes a village to raise a child.

Nurturing a spiritual life also takes a community.  Peter writes to churches, “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good” (1 Peter 2:2,3 NIV).  Those who desire to grow in faith and experience need a community who can provide the support needed for the believer to get enough of that spiritual milk.  That community consists of those who are able to teach the Bible, extend hospitality and love, share spiritual discernment, proclaim the Word, and help in various ways.

Church attendance is important not only for the opportunity to worship, but also for the opportunity to belong to that community of support.  As we learn to trust and lean on each other (for prayer, friendship, partnership in ministry, etc.) we become the body of Christ:

So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. Ephesians 4:11-16 (NIV).

Even though I am sleep deprived, sore, and unfit for public eyes, I am so happy to see Joshua growing – and proud that I am contributing to his amazing 1-kilo weight gain since birth.  I am so grateful for all those around me who are helping to shape Joshua’s present and future health and happiness; I could not do it without them.

Imagine the joy we will experience when we witness the growth of new believers and realise that we are part of the community who persevered together to make that happen.  Imagine the thrill of having a new sister or brother in Christ.  Imagine the love we will share as our church family grows in number and in strength as each of us does our part.

God is Big Enough

in Thoughts  by Jinha Kim 2 comments

Today was my last day of (paid) full-time work; tomorrow I go on maternity leave for the remainder of the year.

I have mixed feelings: on the one hand, I am looking forward to concentrating on being a full-time mum to two boys; on the other hand, I am nervous.  Having one active toddler to care for is tiring enough, how can I care for Micah and a newborn?  I know millions of women have done it before, but it all seems so daunting.

I am comforted, however, by the thought that God cares about our personal fears and challenges. He empowers us with strength and wisdom to make it through each day, whether it is with young children or with an unreasonable boss or with angry commuters.

God can downsize from the Universal to the human; from the Creator to the created in a cradle, from the Saviour to the friend.  And having heard our troubles, He then is big enough to change hearts and history.

Micah loves singing the song, “My God is so big, so strong and so mighty, there’s nothing my God cannot do (clap, clap! repeat) The mountains are His, the valleys are His, the stars are His handiwork, too (clap, clap!) My God is so big, so strong and so mighty, there’s nothing my God cannot do – for you!”

I am internalising this song as I face a new bend in the road.  My God is big enough for the sleepless nights and endless days, big enough for the unknown future and the regrettable past, big enough for the highs and lows of life’s journey.

With such a guide, we can echo the psalmist:

The Lord is my Shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
He leads me beside quiet waters,
He refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths for His name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Psalm 23, NIV

May you turn to God today with the smallest of cares to share, believing that He is big enough to move heaven and earth – for you!

Joy is a state of mind

in Thoughts  by Jinha Kim 0 comments

IMG_0054A friend recently asked me while enjoying the charms of my toddler, “Does he bring you endless joy?”  I immediately answered, “No.  He brings me endless exhaustion.”

I was half-heartedly joking, but my comment replayed in my mind a few days later as Micah hugged me from behind and said, “I cuddle Mommy.  I love you.”  In that moment while my heart melted, I reflected on the fact that I am not grateful enough for this little life that has been entrusted in my care.

Sure, his energy level needs no Red Bull.  Yes, he is cheeky to the bone.  The white hairs on my head definitely appeared as his terrible twos began.

But he also has the cheesiest smile.  And a great sense of humour.  When he cries, he covers his face with his hands and weeps in a way that breaks your heart.

He makes up his own songs: “More cars, five cars, all gone, no cars.”   He dances jigs.  He tells Roy, “Good job, daddy, driving” and asks me, “Mommy sleep well?” with a sweetness that melts ice cream.

I asked God to help me be more grateful – and thus more joyful –  for my children this year.

Joy is a state of mind.

We all can count our woes and complaints.  But really, when we pause to remember, we have much to be thankful for – and to rejoice in!

When the Bible writer Paul said to “Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say, rejoice” (Philippians 4:4), he was in prison.  He was not looking at his loss of liberty or potential death.  He chose to focus on the “peace of God, which passes all understanding” (Phil 4:7) and the gift of love and community that his fellow Christians provided  through their letters and visits (Phil 4:10).  His joy was a choice that renewed and multiplied, resulting in a contagious Christianity that changed the world.

How different my days and relationships would be if I embraced such joy!

Leaving on a Jet Plane

in Thoughts  by Jinha Kim 1 comments

bumblebeeTraveling used to be fun.  The first few times I flew, I felt so grown-up (I was 16-years-old) and privileged.  Now, as a pregnant mother of a toddler, traveling is a necessary evil to reunite with my family in the USA.

I thought I was prepared.  I had researched on Pinterest and made “toddler traveling packs” that included little games, new toys, and activities I thought would occupy my active 2.5-year-old for at least 5 hours out of the 44 hours in the air in the next 3 weeks.

I either underestimated how active my son truly is or overestimated how engaging my packs were.  After a few hours, I was completely out of options and desperate to keep Micah in his seat.  Fortunately, it was Roy’s turn to watch Micah and he pulled down a suitcase full of toys that I did not know Roy had packed after he had peeked at my packs.  Unfortunately, he was not able to keep Micah entertained for more than a few hours, either.

By the sixth hour, I was praying for divine intervention.  Despite having skipped his nap, Micah did not fall asleep until the 14th hour (about 1 am Melbourne time).  Of course, we had to wake him up a few hours later to land in LA and transfer to our Seattle flight.  I honestly wondered if I would survive the trip.

Sometimes, life can feel like one long exhausting plane ride.  Your assigned seat is uncomfortable, you may not have likeable seat mates, and yes, there are turbulences along the way.  There’s only so much entertainment can do to make the journey pleasant.  Sometimes, life is just not what we thought it would be. 

But what makes it worth it is the destination.  Where are we headed?  Why are we on the journey in the first place? Who’s waiting on the other side? 

When we finally reached the baggage claim at the Seattle airport, Roy’s dad was waiting for us.  Micah pointed and said, “Seattle grandpa!”  Grandpa’s face was all smiles as he embraced Micah, Roy, then me.  Seeing his elation is what will probably make me do this trip again, against my better judgment, in the future.

It’s been a pleasure spending time with my brother-in-law, his wife, and my nephews, one of whom is only two-weeks-old.  I am not so fond of the two dogs that keep barking at us, but that’s a story for another time.

I can’t wait to see my parents and sister again in just 4 more days, after another plane ride.  And in a few weeks I will be eager to return to Melbourne, to our home, friends, and church family.

So I will get on the next flight.  I will book another itinerary.  I will keep traveling, as long as I know that love is waiting for me at the end of the journey.

I hope that no matter how difficult life may get, that we will always remember that Love is waiting for us at the end of our journeys – He will be thrilled to see us, His wounded arms will be open wide for an embrace, and His words will be, “Welcome home.”

Cleaning House

in Thoughts  by Jinha Kim 0 comments

We have been cleaning the house.

The pantry has finally been organised; we discovered 8 different packets of rice paper stashed in various shelves.  Our two office areas are now clutter-free.  Even Micah’s toys are tucked out of sight in boxes and bags.

We felt it was about time – not only because it is the end of the year, but because we are anticipating guests next year.

The New Year is also a great time to do some soul-cleansing.  What habits need to be thrown out?  What thoughts recycled?  What memories need to be stored away?  Which priorities need to be assessed?  Are there any relationships that need to be restored or renewed?

Remember that every day we have a reason for our transformation:

“This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope.  Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great if Your faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, says my soul, therefore I hope in Him!” Lamentations 3:21-24

May God’s compassion and faithfulness inspire us to trust in Him daily in 2016.

Don’t forget your enemies this Christmas

in Thoughts  by Ruth 0 comments

Screen Shot 2015-12-15 at 12.20.48 pmGift giving is a big part of the Christmas season. We give gifts to show appreciation and affection that nurture relationships with close family and friends.

However, upon reflecting on humanity’s greatest gift Jesus Christ who gave himself to be the Savior of all mankind, we learn the greatest example of gift giving is not in giving to loved ones, but to those most at odds with us.

Gift giving is an act of mending.

The thought of giving to one’s enemies this or any season is probably not a priority on your Christmas list. However, consider the wisdom in the book of Proverbs.

If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat;

if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.

In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head,

and the Lord will reward you. NIV Proverbs 25:21-22

Jesus’ parable of the prodigal son highlights this principle. To the dismay of his loyal son, the father GIVES a large banquet to honor the return of his wayward son. What a surprise for his rebellious son and what a testimony of his father’s love this gift must have brought. The relationship was not only restored but the prodigal son has seen a depth of his father’s character that the loyal brother could not.

Jesus Christ astonishingly declares – “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you…. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them… But love your enemies… then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.” NIV Luke 6:27-35

Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the USA who preserved the unity of his country and abolished slavery, understood the transformative power over ones enemies by stating:

“The best way to destroy an enemy is to make him a friend.”  

Jesus’ primary mission is to reconcile his enemies by giving them the greatest gift of all.

“… while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son…” NIV Romans 5:10

Jesus’ instruction begs us to think contrary to human logic: “For if you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?” NIV Matthew 5:46-47

Jesus not only requested we love our enemies, he demonstrated the power of love by giving himself to all of mankind to show how much stronger love is over hate.

So this season, use the act of gift giving in its most powerful form. Think of those that you think very little of and witness the transformative power of giving to those who least expect or deserve it.

Wishing you a restorative season this year!

In Remembrance

in Thoughts  by Jinha Kim 0 comments
A wooden cross marks a veteran's grave marker in an Ohio cemetery.

A soldier’s grave

Today, the 11th of November, we remember those who gave their lives during the First World War that ended after four long years on 11 am on 11 November 1918.  A minute of silence was dedicated at 11 am today to honour the memory of those who have suffered or died in wars and armed conflicts around the world.

Remembrance Day, as well as other Memorial days throughout the year and in different countries, give us the opportunity to reflect on the sacrifices of others that enable us to live in peace and safety today.  It helps us appreciate the legacy they have left us and pledge to leave a better world for the generations to come.

God also wants us to remember.  He has asked us to “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy” (Exodus 20:8) as a memorial of creation and salvation (Deuteronomy 5:15).  He asked us to remember our spiritual heritage and the way He has led us in the past (Isaiah 46:9).

In addition, He has asked us to remember His sacrifice: “And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me” (Luke 22:19).

When we have communion together, breaking bread that symbolises the body of Jesus that was broken for us, drinking the wine that represents the blood of Jesus spilt for us, we partake in remembering the cross.  We spend a thoughtful moment of prayer thinking of the sufferings of Jesus and why He endured such shame and agony.  We appreciate His exchange of life for ours and renew our commitment to Him.

Communion not only remembers the past but anticipates the future.  “For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes” (1 Corinthians 10:26).

In remembering His death, we also look forward to the day when Jesus will come again to end sin, resurrect the dead, and wipe away our tears.