Brothers and Sisters in Christ at BRF,


Peace and grace be with you all. I appreciate that you showed me a great love and grace that Esther and I had a chance to visit our family members in Korea last few weeks in April and May. It’s been five years since we have been there. As you might know, it’s been hard to travel to anywhere due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. It’s released and relaxed when we were in Korea and met friends and families.
 

I first visited parents of Esther to greet and to see if they are doing fine and visited a charnel house in a town where I grew up to see my parents who are already gone to heaven a long time ago. And I visited my oldest brother lying at the national cemetery who accidently passed away during his army duty when he was early twenties.
I met many friends who had studied together at a seminary and a high school and in ministry areas. Although we don’t see one another very often, we felt intimacy to talk each other for a long time without reservation, awkwardness, and tentativeness. One of the ancient oriental philosophers said, “Is it not delightful to have friends coming from distant quarters?” I cannot help admitting I am a human being who needs affection and close relationship. I know the corona pandemic have kept us from our close relationship and social activities. That is why most people now go outside and go on vacation abroad and camping so that they can get compensation for loneliness, disconnectedness, fatigue, and once lost freedom. I have been also uplifted by those emotions for a while.
 

As an ancient philosopher said, “Man is by nature a social animal.” We need a close and sound fellowship to strengthen our life physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, “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.”
 

As we are members of God’s family, we need each other to support our lives, communities, and society. When we are united in the love of God and the Holy Spirit, I believe our spirituality grows deeply. Besides, if we remember Jesus’ sacrificial love for us, our hearts will be exalted and uplifted. Nothing can compare with His unconditional love.
 

In remembering those fallen soldiers who fought for our nation and freedom, I honor and appreciate their sacrifice. Without their love and commitment, I doubt we could live a life safely and enjoy freedom now.
 

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

In Christ’s love,
Pastor Inwha Shon