Think about it, when do you have time to read? Maybe there's not much chance off the top of your head, but really we should be making time. Everyday. Each and every day. All it takes is a particularly distracting and problematic morning to lead into afternoon. Then when night rolls around you're still focused on what happened that morning, and instead of praising God for all the wonderful gifts he's given us, you're focused on yourself.
I'm not gonna sit here and say that I let attention and "fame" (lol there is none) go to my head, but it would be a lie if I said I didn't think and even pray about the possibilities that came up with my news story here. I would say it's a pretty strong possibility that I would be acting or feeling the same had I actually achieved fame. My point is that I quickly stopped focusing on my relationship with God (that was flourishing) and started focusing on myself again.
I wasn't satisfied with what I had, but instead I wanted more. Subconsciously I was thinking "oh with just a taste of fame I would be happy" or "if I find the right girl and marry her I'll be happy" or it will add to my happiness. Man these are such dangerous thoughts, and likely what gets us into trouble as Christians in the first place. I know I'm guilty of it as much as anyone. I already posted on this earlier last month, but it bears repeating. The things we hold in our heart, are what we put above God.
I saw a "like" on Facebook from my boy Tim Leung. He liked a post from Timothy Keller who is a well known pastor and speaker. The previous paragraph was pretty much the premise of the post, and up until that point I had slowly started to convince myself that the things I was doing, and asking for in prayer were based in my faith! How easily the devil can deceive, and how quickly we are to turn away. However, I'm determined to allow God to use this to His glory.
Today's reflection on Job (thanks Pastor James!) was a great reminder of this. Job doesn't mess around, this book gets right to the nitty gritty. In the first chapter the devil goes to God and asks permission to mess with Job. To give a short rundown, Job was the man. Rich, successful, and popular, he had everything in the world, but the most important thing he had was a pure and strong faith in God. (Probably the reason he was so wealthy etc. but I digress).
Anyways, the devil comes to God and says "yo dawg, let me mess with Job, the only reason his faith is so strong is because he's got all this stuff from you". (I'm paraphrasing a bit here btw). So God says "yeah dude, that's cool just make sure you don't touch the man". So the devil goes through and kills all his sheep, all his cattle, and even his entire family. Crazy right? Job's response is to praise God saying "I came into this world with nothing, and I'll leave with nothing".
You know I was on here not a week ago talking about how the cross moves me to tears, and yet here I am sinning again trying to "take control" over my life. Steering where I want to go, putting my hopes in silly perishable things. All I can do is thank God everyday for teaching me, and not condemning me to eternal hellfire for the unforgivable amount of sin I commit everyday. My relationship with Him is really exploding exponentially here. For that I am so thankful, and I am in total submission to Him, even during times when I stumble and fall. He picks me up and dusts me off, and we walk together arm in arm again.
I now start anew to build on the foundations of my faith, continuing to realize and this time REMEMBER to be content with what he has given me. Most importantly look outward instead of inward at my own desires, but to how I can emulate my Father in heaven and pass on to others the unconditional and all encompassing love he has shown me. I will obviously fall incredibly short of the mark, but I will be doing my best everyday and all I can do is hope that God touches the hearts of those that I come into contact with to receive His word.
Wow, I didn't intend that to be so long winded. I guess when the Holy Spirit hits you, you just go. That was the start to my day lol. Class was pretty awesome again. we learned a couple of new conjugations. I'm honestly just going to stop being surprised, I can pretty much tell that's what this language is about. We are however, starting to learn how to link sentences together and that is exciting. I'm starting to be able to pick out words when my friends talk. I'm also able to give feeble attempts of communicating with them in their native tongue.
After class was a bit special today. I was walking with Nathan (who showed up today after two days in a row of being absent) down the hall and asked how he was doing with everything. He really appreciated my caring and asked if I wanted to go to lunch. I think it's important to get to know people, especially two Americans in the middle of South Korea. God put us together for some reason. So we spent about 2 hours at lunch just talking, enjoying the fact that we could speak English properly to each other without having to enunciate or slow down our speech for once.
I certainly don't have a problem helping out my friends by talking slower when we converse in English, but every once in awhile you gotta let loose. Kinda like taking your car out on the highway after a month of city driving. Rev that baby up and get er goin! Anyways I learned a lot about him. He's a pretty interesting guy, and more relatable than I first thought. Apparently he started college in Long Island as a film major, and about a year or two in decided he needed a change. He transferred to Murray State in Tennessee and is pursuing a degree in broadcasting technology with a minor in film. He told me that all of his credits transferred to Murray State, so he actually has less time until graduation than if he stated at Long Island. That's the first time I've ever heard of something like that.
We shot the breeze for awhile and then it was time for me to hit the gym with YJS and An Hyo Sang, so we walked back to the dorms together. I really had a good time, and I hope we get a chance to socialize again. Back at the dorm, I dropped off my books and got dressed to head to the gym with YJS. An Hyo Sang was MIA so we called him bae shin ja (traitor) and took off.
When we finished our workout it was time to get back to the dorm and shower before dinner. I ended up going to CJ for dinner which I never do. They added Jja Jang Myeon to their menu though so I'll likely be going there more often now. Following dinner Heavy G and An Hyo Sang had to go supervise badminton class and YJS and I got to relax with some students in the dorms.
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| Hangin with mah bois! |
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| My church friends! Sue (Front left) and David (Middle) are getting married tomorrow! |
Korean Word/Phrase of the Day: 여보세요? (Yeo Bo Se Yo) This is how to answer a phone call. You don't use this in person, only on a phone call lol.
TL:DR I'm in Korea.
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