My favorite season used to be winter because I used to enjoy the cold weather so much. But now that I’m older, spring has become my new favorite. I am not a romantic guy who gets excited about flowers and green plants springing up everywhere. I simply love the spring temperature and the fact that I can drive with my sunroof open and windows rolled down. However, this past week has been a disaster for me because we totally skipped spring and went straight into summer. From what I read on facebook status updates, many seemed to enjoy the “warm” temperature especially because we just went through many months of the winter season. Despite the hot weather, I am grateful that God has been gracious to me by keeping me from any allergies. People have told me that allergies can develop as years go by but I’ve been okay for the last 17 years of my life in the U.S. My prayer is that God will allow me to be allergy-free until the day I die so I can enjoy all four seasons and all the food that I love to eat.
While I was complaining and wondering when I would get to enjoy good weather, my parents along with many Korean communities were focused on a more important matter at hand. When the news broke out regarding the missile launch, I didn’t think anything was going to happen because it was just too crazy for me to even consider someone doing such a thing to either gain political power or to send some sort of a message to the whole world. However, the situation has grown to a point where North Korea is not only “threatening” the whole world that they are planning to launch a missile to the South, they are actually taking some serious actions that may lead to actual launching of the missiles. My parents are watching the Korean news constantly and praying for more than 30 relatives who are living in Korea. Also, they are more concerned because of their oldest son, my older brother, who is stationed in Yongsan right now. As of right now (Thursday morning), breaking news on cnn.com says that North Korea has a missile in firing position. Who knows what they are trying do, only God does, but we have to intercede for the people in both North and South Korea because one missile can easily take away thousands and millions of innocent lives.
One good news article that I read in the midst of this craziness is that many church leaders and different denominations in Korea are coming together to pray on behalf of their country. They are earnestly seeking God to intervene and change the heart of Kim Jung Un, the leader of North Korea. At times like this, we remember and hold onto God’s promise in 2 Chronicles 7:14, “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” Lord, heal our land!
From Pastor Brian’s Heart
April 14, 2013