We Run The Race Too

Can you bear reading one more analysis of the 2010 Winter Olympics? As much as we enjoy events like this, we must confess that we often have information overload during these events, both good and bad and sometimes ugly. And we had our share of that this year as well. I’m not here to rehash individual stories, as good and inspiring and awe striking as they might be, because I assume you’ve already heard them all, repeatedly. No, rather, I’m just going to summarize my sentiment about the winning and losing aspect of the Games.

I’m sure you have seen or at least heard or read about them: how a player won or lost as a result of foul play or a questionable call by a referee, and subsequently, a player or a whole nation responded in a rather dramatic fashion. I think, however, that this violates the Olympic spirit. I don’t dare to suggest that I can understand or show empathy for players who felt their medals were taken away as a result of imperfect aspects of a game. In all fairness, I think they have every right to get angry. But this does not justify them demonstrating their grievances or unhappiness beyond the proper boundaries of sportsmanship and Olympic etiquette.

I’m sure it is gut-wrenching to see your career or years of training go down the drain right in front of your eyes. But that’s what competition is all about. It is harsh by nature and sometimes even devastating. The reality of losing is all too often severe. However, that is what events like Olympics are all about!

But I am glad in a way that I don’t compete in events like the Olympics. I can’t imagine putting my entire life’s goal on the line at one event. It sounds way too scary for me! That would be nerve-wracking! But, instead, I’m glad that I am being judged every day. Or every hour! I live one day at a time. And at the end of my life, the accumulation of each day will result in God’s judgment. So, every day counts. Therefore, I resolve to live every day of my life to the best of my ability and to the fullest. Some days I win, but other days I lose, but win or lose, I receive a fresh start each and every day.

Also, I’m so glad that I’m not competing with or against others like the Olympic Games. I’m only competing with myself. And I can’t cry foul or contest a call because my referee is perfect. He never makes wrong calls. Therefore, all I need to concentrate on is how I’m going to run the race.

God has placed a goal before me and He has called me to run the race. Therefore, I will keep my focus on the goal and run as hard as I can. And sometimes I may not live up to my own expectations, but I don’t need to worry about my numbers, because I can start afresh every day. I’m not running on the merits of yesterday. And I’m not keeping all the previous records. No, instead, I’m starting anew every day. And it is what I do at the end of my life that matters.

I spoke at New Vision Church in San Jose, California last week. It was formerly known as First Baptist Church and founded 30 years ago by a very capable pastor and it became a very successful church. After the senior pastor retired, however, the church went through some tough times. A conflict erupted and the church fell apart. It has recovered since a new pastor arrived 5 years ago. Now it is running a Sunday attendance of 2,300. This is an example of “running our race well.” People might have said this church was done, but God said “No, it wasn’t done!”

I’ve known the pastor for over 30 years, since he was a college student. It was “inspiring” to see a church bounce back from a major trial. For me, it was as inspiring as, if not more than any Olympic gold medals! I met several people from NCFC there, one couple in particular from English congregation for those of you who have been with our church for some time, Jonathan and Young Mi came and said hello. They still miss us and gave a special offering of thanksgiving for us.

May all of us run the race well!

March 7, 2010

Dr. W. Jamie Kim

Lent

Lent is a season when people give up things they love as they devote themselves to God. It is a way to mark humility and repentance as one draws near to the passion of Christ. I’ve known people who give up watching TV, playing video games, red meat, fast food, coffee, soda, and even chocolate. I do wonder about any withdrawal symptoms that they experience as they torture themselves through giving these absolute necessities of life up. Maybe there is a lot of crying and irregular bowel movements.

My first exposure to Lent was when I attended an Anglican high school in South Africa. It is a 40 day (excluding Sundays) journey that begins on Ash Wednesday and culminates on Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Ash Wednesday is the day that I remember the most during the season of Lent.  I did not know or understand the meaning behind Ash Wednesday, so here’s a little basic information for Timothy students.

Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent and it is also known as dies cinerum. It is a season of repentance observed by many Christians. The liturgical or Christian calendar sets Ash Wednesday either in February or March, depending on where Easter falls in the liturgical calendar. Some denominations mark their Church members with ash on their foreheads. The priest or the pastor would often say, “Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return.” The ashes are from burned palms from the previous year that have been blessed by the priest or the pastor. In early Christian history, people who have committed serious sins would have priests sprinkle ashes on them and they were also required to wear sackcloths.

Like many of you, I would often give up certain pleasures of life during lent and I would over compensate for the lost joys on the day after Easter Sunday. Looking back, I should have done more than self-denials but also fill my life with His Spirit through prayer and the reading of the Bible. It would have been more profitable for my spiritual growth. Instead of focusing on giving up, I should have focused on giving in or giving to. Jesus tells me that if I want to follow him, I must first deny myself and take up my cross and follow him (Mark 8:34).

Denying is followed by taking up and we are called to take up our cross. The cross is heavy and is burdensome. I read somewhere that it is easier to die than to live. Christ calls us to give up then take up. We will need to take up sacrificially, joyfully, and graciously. Jesus does not use guilt on us to take up anything. Instead He has given us freedom to be radical lovers and radical givers. Not a rule for us to follow but in freedom (Galatians 5) through His amazing grace.

In closing, I would like to share a random fact with you that I do for Timothy teachers as a way to entertain them. Did you know that the original Twinkies filling was banana; it was replaced by vanilla-flavored cream during World War II when the United States experienced a banana shortage. What is more fascinating is that Korean-American teens often use the term Twinkies as a racial slur to refer to themselves. Those who were not born here in US, are called FOB (“Fresh Off the Boat”) as a reference to their recent immigration. However we are all one in Christ because Galatians 3:28 tells us that there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, Twinkies nor FOBs (MoIV).  This is just for people who are disappointed that we are not studying Galatians today. I love y’all.

02/28/2010

Rev. Moses Kim

Fasting Retreat Fast-forward

By the time you read this column, we have already come back from our 2010 fasting retreat. I am writing this column, however, on Thursday morning, so much of the reflection in this column is actually in looking forward rather than in looking back, which makes writing this column even more fun and interesting.
Of course, I have no idea how this retreat will turn out; how God will move amongst us; how He will meet us; how He will touch our lives. I just know that He will be there. I know this because He has never failed to show up in the last 19 years.

This sort of confident trust rarely comes accidentally. Rather, it comes after many years of trusting and stepping out in faith and trusting and stepping out in faith again. In the beginning you first learn to put yourself in the vulnerable position of “trusting” when there is absolutely no guarantee that you will be rewarded and not be disappointed. You are forced to trust God’s character because you have little else to rely on. The Bible says that He is a faithful God and you must believe that He is. The Bible says that He is trustworthy, so you believe that He is. Then you pray and plead with Him for mercy and ask Him to show up at the meeting and grace us with His presence and watch Him do it. And after many years of this repetition, you then acquire a quiet confidence that He will prove Himself faithful once again.

Anyway, our annual fasting retreat has become a benchmark for both English and Korean congregations. It has become a good tradition and a rallying cry as a community. We come together each year and declare a holy fast before God and worship and pray and minister to one another.

I was heartened by the number of people who signed up: 245. I also was encouraged by a dramatic increase in the number of married couples who signed up. This is a very encouraging indication that our community is very united around the commitment of a basic foundation as a church, instead of other “activities.”

Furthermore, I never fail to get astonished by our young people’s passion and eagerness to participate in the major spiritual events in our church. Traditionally, many young people in middle school and high school have participated in the past fasting retreats and this year is no exception. They will come in impressive numbers and bless all of us adults. Where do you find a group of young people who are hungry enough for God that they would regularly fast to seek God these days? I am so blessed that as a pastor, I have young people like that in my church and their eagerness prompts me and challenges me to serve God with even more passion and fervor.

There are, I’m sure, many good stories and testimonies after the retreat. They don’t have to be anything “dramatic.” It doesn’t have to be “earth-shattering.” But every encounter with God, every testimony, and every story is worth telling because God was there and played a part in the drama. So, what is your personal testimony? Do share them! In your Oikos meetings, at home, at work, it doesn’t matter where, you must share them. Even if you are a shy person, you must share them, because after all, it isn’t about you, not as much as it is about Him. And who knows? Maybe it will encourage someone else to want to seek out God. Thanks for being there. You blessed me.

2/21/2010

Dr. W. Jamie Kim