Be Still, My Soul...

I apologize that this post is not related to the daily reading material….

It’s been a tough week for some members of our congregation. Helen & Kris are in LA dealing with Helen’s father’s illness. Lynn just lost her grandmother, and our old friend Jinyoung is struggling with her father’s illness.

I just wanted to share this hymn with those who are suffering….

http://www.box.net/shared/caj4i5s8ww

Be Still, My Soul

Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side.
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change, He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul: when dearest friends depart,
And all is darkened in the vale of tears,
Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,
Who comes to soothe thy sorrow and thy fears.
Be still, my soul: thy Jesus can repay
From His own fullness all He takes away.


Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake
To guide the future, as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know
His voice Who ruled them while He dwelt below.


Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord.
When disappointment, grief and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past
All safe and blessèd we shall meet at last.


Be still, my soul: begin the song of praise
On earth, believing, to Thy Lord on high;
Acknowledge Him in all thy words and ways,
So shall He view thee with a well pleased eye.
Be still, my soul: the Sun of life divine
Through passing clouds shall but more brightly shine.

The Vine and the Branches

Wednesday's reading was a great moment of reflection for me as are all the entries I read on this blog.

One part of the Christian message that's often uncomfortable is the notion of suffering. We talk about it often but the message of suffering as a Christian is often lost in translation when we're going through it. I'm the first to admit it. I acknowledge suffering is a part of Christian life and I'll mention that God was taking care of me in retrospect. But during the times that I feel like I am suffering, God is usually the furthest thing from my mind.

It's funny that every passage I have read and wrote about seems to be so relevant in my life. When God prunes and refines me, I hear Him saying "Get through it with me. Depend on me." But I'm usually thinking "Get it over it quickly like a man should. Then thank God when it's all over."

I realized reading this passage how much pride I still have even when I try to, and should, surrender to God.

I think it's amazing how as children of God, everything is to our benefit if we faithfully follow Him. Even when God prunes us, it's to bear more fruit. It's to make us better. God always wants to better us in all things. It's never merely to "teach us a lesson" only. It's to make us stronger and better in Him.

John Stott closed with a quote that instructs us to "never let go your hold on me [God] for a moment." Well I can say personally that I've let go a countless number of times. But it's been God who's never done the same to me in my entire life.

As you know, Il has a grandmother who is 97 years old. On Sunday her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren gathered around her bed and had a family service presided by Rev. Yang who called the service,” going home service.” She is going home at last. Her journey on this earth has almost come to an end. It’s time for her to go home where her Savior has been preparing the place for her. She will dwell the place eternally with her lover. Eternal life with Christ is far better than “happy ever after” story. How can an unbeliever make a sense out of death as a celebration of new beginning? How can an unbeliever find hope in his last breath?
Without Jesus, no celebration of new beginning nor hope! By believing his death and resurrection, believing Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, and loving Jesus by obeying his command, we too become heirs and inherit the Kingdom of God. Jesus knows our journey on this earth is bumpy and restless. Jesus promised his disciples as well as all his children Holy Spirit, our counselor, to guide us through the journey. Moreover Jesus gives peace. Jesus said that peace that he gives is peace that this world can not understand. His peace calms our hearts in the middle of storm. His peace restores order in the midst of chaos.
As I was reading today’s message, I was overwhelmed by such blessing and privilege that we as children of God are granted with. It is very God that opens our eyes to see Him and hearts to know Him. I am full of gratitude and thankfulness that God opens my eyes to see who He is. It is my prayer as well as yours that the greatest thing in our lives is to know Him and love Him more and more each day until our father calls us home to be with Him forever.

** While I was writing the post, I got a call from my mother-in-law that our grandmother has passed and be with the Lord. If you could, please pray for our family. I will appreciate your prayers.