Yesterday was Father's Day. I love my dad, flaws and all, for all that he's done for me and my family. I can never underestimate the role that he has played in my life. And I thank God for him and the love he shows.
Yesterday was also a day when the Democratic presumptive nominee for the presidency gave a speech at an African-American church in Chicago. The theme of the message was a very sensitive and delicate matter in the black community - the lack of moral responsibility of the black male in the family. Mr. Obama said, "Too many fathers are M.I.A., too many fathers are AWOL, missing from too many lives and too many homes. They have abandoned their responsibilities, acting like boys instead of men. And the foundations of our families are weaker because of it." He later went on to say, "We need families to raise our children. We need fathers to recognize that responsibility doesn't just end at conception. That doesn't just make you a father. What makes you a man is not the ability to have a child. Any fool can have a child. That doesn't make you a father. It's the courage to raise a child that makes you a father." And though I do not necessarily agree with all of his political views, I will give him credit for the audacity to speak so bluntly on this race-sensitive matter.
But to take it one notch higher, it is not just an African-American problem, although it is more prevalent in the black community. The strength of families strongly depend on the health and vibrancy of two parents (mother and father) in all communities, and in this post-baby boomer generation, there seems to be a dearth of responsible young males dedicated to their wives and their children. How do you inspire faithful and responsible males in this generation in which popular culture says that sleeping around and having children out of wedlock is the fun thing to do? It almost seems hopeless.
But one thing that encouraged me yesterday was when some of the wives of our church read letters written from their hearts to their husbands and the fathers of their children. It showed me a glimpse of hope that there are men in the church today who are striving to fulfill their calling to be faithful husbands and loving fathers. And though I am still far away from even thinking about being a husband and a father, I am inspired by the examples I see and hope to follow in their footsteps.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
The Local Church
About a year ago, I was in western China as part of a summer missions team. Per the missionary's directive, we were encouraged to connect with locals and share the Gospel, something we never anticipated doing in a "closed-country." We traveled from village to village and city to city praying that people would come to accept this good news.
In one of the cities, a few of us stumbled across a Muslim woman (most of the people we met were Muslim) who was inside a school complex. Somehow we found ourselves talking with her, and soon, we even began to share the Gospel. Starting from Adam and Eve and the original sin to the birth and death and resurrection of Christ, we methodically went over the Bible to share about the redemptive work of Jesus and what it meant for her life. We kept asking if she understood concepts of sin and atonement, and she said she did. She seemed to agree with everything we were sharing, which was exciting considering all the people we shared the Gospel with before had rejected us. So eventually, we told her that Jesus wanted to save her and all she had to do was invite Jesus into her life and accept that she could not be saved except through faith in Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. She paused for a long time to consider it, but ultimately said she couldn't. We asked her why she couldn't. She said the only reason was that all of her friends and family were Muslim and that Islam was part of their culture and heritage. She couldn't get over the fact that she didn't know any other person of her kind that followed Christ; there was no local church to be a viable witness. That was her stumbling block.
That experience confirmed one of the greatest lessons I've learned during my extended stay in Michigan. God knew what He was doing when I didn't understand why I kept getting the conviction to stay in Ann Arbor. I had only begun getting serious about following Christ by the time I graduated college; staying longer helped me to develop stronger convictions about the local church by serving HMCC.
By no means was my experience with HMCC perfect. But despite all of its flaws, I thank God for the church because it has taught me so much as I am preparing to move onto the next stage of life. The community is priceless, and I'll miss the people that have loved me, encouraged me, pushed me, inspired me, challenged me, rebuked me, and been there for me all these years.
My prayer is this: that HMCC would remain steadfast to its vision of transforming lost people into Christ disciples who will then transform the world. Whether in Ann Arbor, in Chicago, in Austin, in Indonesia, and wherever else God takes the church, I pray that the Gospel would take root and multiply.
In one of the cities, a few of us stumbled across a Muslim woman (most of the people we met were Muslim) who was inside a school complex. Somehow we found ourselves talking with her, and soon, we even began to share the Gospel. Starting from Adam and Eve and the original sin to the birth and death and resurrection of Christ, we methodically went over the Bible to share about the redemptive work of Jesus and what it meant for her life. We kept asking if she understood concepts of sin and atonement, and she said she did. She seemed to agree with everything we were sharing, which was exciting considering all the people we shared the Gospel with before had rejected us. So eventually, we told her that Jesus wanted to save her and all she had to do was invite Jesus into her life and accept that she could not be saved except through faith in Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. She paused for a long time to consider it, but ultimately said she couldn't. We asked her why she couldn't. She said the only reason was that all of her friends and family were Muslim and that Islam was part of their culture and heritage. She couldn't get over the fact that she didn't know any other person of her kind that followed Christ; there was no local church to be a viable witness. That was her stumbling block.
That experience confirmed one of the greatest lessons I've learned during my extended stay in Michigan. God knew what He was doing when I didn't understand why I kept getting the conviction to stay in Ann Arbor. I had only begun getting serious about following Christ by the time I graduated college; staying longer helped me to develop stronger convictions about the local church by serving HMCC.
By no means was my experience with HMCC perfect. But despite all of its flaws, I thank God for the church because it has taught me so much as I am preparing to move onto the next stage of life. The community is priceless, and I'll miss the people that have loved me, encouraged me, pushed me, inspired me, challenged me, rebuked me, and been there for me all these years.
My prayer is this: that HMCC would remain steadfast to its vision of transforming lost people into Christ disciples who will then transform the world. Whether in Ann Arbor, in Chicago, in Austin, in Indonesia, and wherever else God takes the church, I pray that the Gospel would take root and multiply.
Monday, May 19, 2008
To Austin
This past weekend, Pastor Ben, Susan, Isaiah, and several brothers and sisters were commissioned to launch a church plant at the heart of the University of Texas in Austin. Most of them left after Sunday Celebration yesterday for their new home down south. It's kind of surreal to think that some of these guys that I've known for some years now are no longer nearby. I guess that's what happens when close friends and people you serve alongside for years are gone from your life.
Though I am a bit sad that I won't be seeing these guys anymore, at least not in the near future, I'm more excited to see what God is gonna do in Texas. We're living in an exciting chapter in our lives when the possibilities seem endless and God is moving people towards their destinies. For these brothers and sisters, their short-term future lies in Austin, laying down the foundations for the body of Christ that desires to extend Christ love to unreached people at UT. And though I will not be readily connected to the HMCC family upon my departure to Washington D.C., I hope to hear stories of God's faithfulness and power demonstrated through this church plant.
So to the brothers and sisters of this team, I've been blessed to have known you (some better than others). But regardless of the nature of our relationship, I've been thoroughly encouraged and inspired by you all through the years of serving together in building up the body of Christ in Ann Arbor. And now as you have gone to fulfill the destiny that God has given you, I'm looking forward to hearing magnificent testimonies from you all. Whether you plant your roots in Austin or go on to bigger things for God elsewhere in America and/or the world, I hope that we can still be connected through whatever means available.
I hope to visit Austin one of these days, and so if I do make it out there, I'll be looking forward to some porterhouse steaks. And if, for whatever reason, you come out to Washington D.C., you'll have a friend to call out.
God bless, and I'll be praying for you guys.
Though I am a bit sad that I won't be seeing these guys anymore, at least not in the near future, I'm more excited to see what God is gonna do in Texas. We're living in an exciting chapter in our lives when the possibilities seem endless and God is moving people towards their destinies. For these brothers and sisters, their short-term future lies in Austin, laying down the foundations for the body of Christ that desires to extend Christ love to unreached people at UT. And though I will not be readily connected to the HMCC family upon my departure to Washington D.C., I hope to hear stories of God's faithfulness and power demonstrated through this church plant.
So to the brothers and sisters of this team, I've been blessed to have known you (some better than others). But regardless of the nature of our relationship, I've been thoroughly encouraged and inspired by you all through the years of serving together in building up the body of Christ in Ann Arbor. And now as you have gone to fulfill the destiny that God has given you, I'm looking forward to hearing magnificent testimonies from you all. Whether you plant your roots in Austin or go on to bigger things for God elsewhere in America and/or the world, I hope that we can still be connected through whatever means available.
I hope to visit Austin one of these days, and so if I do make it out there, I'll be looking forward to some porterhouse steaks. And if, for whatever reason, you come out to Washington D.C., you'll have a friend to call out.
God bless, and I'll be praying for you guys.
Friday, April 25, 2008
Beginning of the End
It's that time again. Finals are done with, and students are pouring out. Commencement activities are in full swing. But in the midst of all the familiarities, there is something different about this year--at least for me. It's been eight years in the making (some would say four years overdue). It's time for me to begin saying goodbyes to those who have left an impression in my life at one point or another.
Throughout the next two or three months I have left in Ann Arbor, I wish to highlight those people who've made these past eight years memorable. At the very minimum, these entries will serve to remind me of how God faithfully placed these people during a crucial stretch of my young life.
SHIFT_
There was a good chance I would have never met these brothers and sisters. Last spring, I remember going back and forth whether I should stay in Ann Arbor one more year. I was a bit exhausted from serving as a small group leader, and I was beginning to doubt what God was doing in my life. But after much prayer and consultation with older brothers/sisters, I decided to dedicate one more year in serving the local church.
When I first found out about the make-up of the group, I was filled with trepidation because the group was so young. All along, I felt like I didn't have enough time and resources to minister to these brothers and sisters while doing a million other things that I had committed to. But that's when God spoke: "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."
This year, by no means, has been easy. Every week, God was definitely showing me that I was weak. All the times I tried relying on my past experiences as a small group leader, God broke me. There were times when I wanted to quit as well as times when God was evidently moving. There were times when I questioned whether all the things that Mirae and I were doing were worth it. But in the end, I know that God is faithful.
Last night, as I was watching the video that these guys made for us, I was blown away. Here I was, expecting God to do things my way, but all along, He knew what He was doing in the lives of all the brothers and sisters in the group. And as each person shared on the video, I felt God whispering to me, "it wasn't you leading them. It was me." And it's so true. I didn't d o much. But God took what I offered, and He multiplied it. I see it in their lives. From day one to where they are now. I see the hand of God working in their lives. And I'm amazed. And I thank God for them.
I want to thank each member that's made my last small group a memorable one. Humphrey. Justin. Joel. Paul. Sam. Nina. Lisa. Sieun. Christine. So Yeon. Sarah. Donna. Daniel. Rachel. Nick. Gary. Katie. Mirae. We'll keep in touch. I'm excited to see what God will do in your lives in the years to come. =)
Throughout the next two or three months I have left in Ann Arbor, I wish to highlight those people who've made these past eight years memorable. At the very minimum, these entries will serve to remind me of how God faithfully placed these people during a crucial stretch of my young life.
SHIFT_
There was a good chance I would have never met these brothers and sisters. Last spring, I remember going back and forth whether I should stay in Ann Arbor one more year. I was a bit exhausted from serving as a small group leader, and I was beginning to doubt what God was doing in my life. But after much prayer and consultation with older brothers/sisters, I decided to dedicate one more year in serving the local church.When I first found out about the make-up of the group, I was filled with trepidation because the group was so young. All along, I felt like I didn't have enough time and resources to minister to these brothers and sisters while doing a million other things that I had committed to. But that's when God spoke: "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."
This year, by no means, has been easy. Every week, God was definitely showing me that I was weak. All the times I tried relying on my past experiences as a small group leader, God broke me. There were times when I wanted to quit as well as times when God was evidently moving. There were times when I questioned whether all the things that Mirae and I were doing were worth it. But in the end, I know that God is faithful.
Last night, as I was watching the video that these guys made for us, I was blown away. Here I was, expecting God to do things my way, but all along, He knew what He was doing in the lives of all the brothers and sisters in the group. And as each person shared on the video, I felt God whispering to me, "it wasn't you leading them. It was me." And it's so true. I didn't d o much. But God took what I offered, and He multiplied it. I see it in their lives. From day one to where they are now. I see the hand of God working in their lives. And I'm amazed. And I thank God for them.
I want to thank each member that's made my last small group a memorable one. Humphrey. Justin. Joel. Paul. Sam. Nina. Lisa. Sieun. Christine. So Yeon. Sarah. Donna. Daniel. Rachel. Nick. Gary. Katie. Mirae. We'll keep in touch. I'm excited to see what God will do in your lives in the years to come. =)
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Worth
This past Tuesday, in small group, we reflected on the cross and what the cross means to us. And as I was meditating on Scripture, the question that kept coming to mind was, "How much is Jesus worth to you?"
In all four Gospels, there is a story of a woman (only John's account notes her name as Mary) who brings an expensive perfume made of pure nard in an alabaster jar and pours all of it on Jesus. The writers note the price of the perfume as being three hundred Greek Denarii, equivalent to a full year's worth of wages. In the Matthew account of the story (Matthew 26:6-16), Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve and future betrayer of Christ, becomes disillusioned and immediately goes to the chief priests, agreeing to betray Jesus for the price of 30 silver coins.
Mary Magdalene came to Jesus, unsolicited, and willingly spent a year's wage on Jesus Christ. As much as the price of the perfume is incredulous, the manner in which she anointed Jesus topped it off. John 12:3 says that she poured the perfume on Jesus' feet and wiped His feet with her hair. In ancient Palestine, everyone walked in sandals, and thereby people's feet would get really dirty. So for anyone to wash someone's feet, it meant complete humility on the part of the washer and a sign of honoring the person whose feet was being washed. Mary not only washes Jesus' feet, she does so with her hair. And for her deed, Jesus says, "She has done a beautiful thing to me...I tell you the truth, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her" (Mark 14:6-9).
Judas Iscariot, on the other hand, agrees to hand Jesus over to the enemy for thirty silver coins. Some agree that the worth of these silver coins came out to a month's wage back in those days. I find it interesting that thirty silver coins was the price of a slave in Biblical times. Having spent three years under Jesus, Judas sees Jesus as worth nothing more than a slave whom he can keep or sell, depending on his disposition.
How much do I value Jesus Christ in my life? I can say that I treasure Him above anything else, but actions speak louder than words. Is He worth a full year's wage? Can I run to Him, unsolicited, and give Him everything I have to live on because He is who He is, the Son of God, the savior of the world? Or is he only worth the price of a slave? When Jesus becomes inconvenient or hard to follow, do I just sell Him out for chump change?
When I look at the cross of Christ, I see how much God valued us. He gave to the ultimate degree. And all I can do is fall on my knees in repentance because I know I don't give my ultimate to Him. I am unworthy to be called your son.
For God (the greatest lover) so loved (the greatest degree) the world (the greatest number) that he gave (the greatest act) his only begotten son (the greatest gift) that whosoever (the greatest invitation) believes (the greatest
simplicity) in him (the greatest person) shall not perish (the greatest deliverance) but (the greatest difference) have (the greatest certainty) everlasting life(the greatest possession). John 3:16 (Martin Luther)
In all four Gospels, there is a story of a woman (only John's account notes her name as Mary) who brings an expensive perfume made of pure nard in an alabaster jar and pours all of it on Jesus. The writers note the price of the perfume as being three hundred Greek Denarii, equivalent to a full year's worth of wages. In the Matthew account of the story (Matthew 26:6-16), Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve and future betrayer of Christ, becomes disillusioned and immediately goes to the chief priests, agreeing to betray Jesus for the price of 30 silver coins.
Mary Magdalene came to Jesus, unsolicited, and willingly spent a year's wage on Jesus Christ. As much as the price of the perfume is incredulous, the manner in which she anointed Jesus topped it off. John 12:3 says that she poured the perfume on Jesus' feet and wiped His feet with her hair. In ancient Palestine, everyone walked in sandals, and thereby people's feet would get really dirty. So for anyone to wash someone's feet, it meant complete humility on the part of the washer and a sign of honoring the person whose feet was being washed. Mary not only washes Jesus' feet, she does so with her hair. And for her deed, Jesus says, "She has done a beautiful thing to me...I tell you the truth, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her" (Mark 14:6-9).
Judas Iscariot, on the other hand, agrees to hand Jesus over to the enemy for thirty silver coins. Some agree that the worth of these silver coins came out to a month's wage back in those days. I find it interesting that thirty silver coins was the price of a slave in Biblical times. Having spent three years under Jesus, Judas sees Jesus as worth nothing more than a slave whom he can keep or sell, depending on his disposition.
How much do I value Jesus Christ in my life? I can say that I treasure Him above anything else, but actions speak louder than words. Is He worth a full year's wage? Can I run to Him, unsolicited, and give Him everything I have to live on because He is who He is, the Son of God, the savior of the world? Or is he only worth the price of a slave? When Jesus becomes inconvenient or hard to follow, do I just sell Him out for chump change?
When I look at the cross of Christ, I see how much God valued us. He gave to the ultimate degree. And all I can do is fall on my knees in repentance because I know I don't give my ultimate to Him. I am unworthy to be called your son.
For God (the greatest lover) so loved (the greatest degree) the world (the greatest number) that he gave (the greatest act) his only begotten son (the greatest gift) that whosoever (the greatest invitation) believes (the greatest
simplicity) in him (the greatest person) shall not perish (the greatest deliverance) but (the greatest difference) have (the greatest certainty) everlasting life(the greatest possession). John 3:16 (Martin Luther)
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
So Amazed
March 9. 2008.
A few days earlier, at work, I received an email from the admissions office at the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University. It was a succinct letter denying me of admissions to my dream school. I can't say that I was bitter or upset. I saw it coming, even though I had held out for what little hope I had. But even foreseeing the denial, I could not keep myself from worrying about subsequent decisions from schools. I began to doubt and took matters into my own hands. I needed a fall-back plan and began job-searching at work. I went into HMCC's prayer gathering kind of dejected. I found it difficult to pray, difficult to worship as my mind was going back to the letter I had received from Columbia. Again, God was showing me how much I had not learned about surrender. I began to journal, and as words were being written, I felt God challenge me again and again with a simple question: Who do you say that I am? I responded like Peter. In my mind, I didn't understand why God would keep asking me this question. You are the Christ, the messiah. But God would not let it go. Almost as if He was not fully satisfied with my answer, He probed deeper. Am I really your Christ and Lord? The day's reading for the 40 Days to Destiny Campaign came alive. And God was searching my heart to see if I really believed that Jesus was Lord of my life. On the outside, I tried to appear cool and collected. Oh God will provide. I'm surrendered. I'll be okay if I don't get into any schools. But on the inside, I was anxious. I didn't want to re-apply and look for new jobs, etc. But at the end of the day, I resigned and lifted up a short prayer. God, if you've really convicted me the past four years of a certain direction in life, then I want to trust that you will make it happen. God teach me to surrender daily.
3.11.08
After a long and eventful weekend, I came back from church and passed out in the living room. With my friends from out-of-town visiting for another friend's proposal to his girlfriend, I had quickly forgotten about the anxieties of graduate schools. But after I woke up from the much needed Sunday afternoon nap, I had an urge to check my mailbox. After all, I was expecting a package pertaining to my laptop. But instead, I found a large packet that resembled an admissions package. I quickly tore open the envelope to find an admissions letter from American University. I was floored. I had to read and reread the letter.
American University was definitely one of my top choices. It is ranked in the top ten international relations programs in the country. So when I found out I got accepted, I knew it was all by the grace of God. My academic standings were not all that great and I'm sure there were hundreds of more qualified applicants than me. So for me to gain acceptance into one of the best programs in the country was by far a miracle. It was almost as if God was saying, I created the heavens and the earth. I can move mountains. I can shake the earth. I can do all things. Throughout the night and even all of yesterday, I reflected a lot. I was talking to a brother about the process that God had taken me. And I'm so amazed. Eight years in Ann Arbor. Falling away and rejecting God. Crawling back like the prodigal son. A trip out to Southeast Asia. A trip out to China. Four years of serving the local church through thick and thin. Engineering. Pre-med. History. English. Journalism? Public Policy? International Relations. And here I stand. Completely amazed. Completely broken by the grace of God. Completely thankful for all the experiences God put me through. And I know He's not finished with me just yet.
A few days earlier, at work, I received an email from the admissions office at the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University. It was a succinct letter denying me of admissions to my dream school. I can't say that I was bitter or upset. I saw it coming, even though I had held out for what little hope I had. But even foreseeing the denial, I could not keep myself from worrying about subsequent decisions from schools. I began to doubt and took matters into my own hands. I needed a fall-back plan and began job-searching at work. I went into HMCC's prayer gathering kind of dejected. I found it difficult to pray, difficult to worship as my mind was going back to the letter I had received from Columbia. Again, God was showing me how much I had not learned about surrender. I began to journal, and as words were being written, I felt God challenge me again and again with a simple question: Who do you say that I am? I responded like Peter. In my mind, I didn't understand why God would keep asking me this question. You are the Christ, the messiah. But God would not let it go. Almost as if He was not fully satisfied with my answer, He probed deeper. Am I really your Christ and Lord? The day's reading for the 40 Days to Destiny Campaign came alive. And God was searching my heart to see if I really believed that Jesus was Lord of my life. On the outside, I tried to appear cool and collected. Oh God will provide. I'm surrendered. I'll be okay if I don't get into any schools. But on the inside, I was anxious. I didn't want to re-apply and look for new jobs, etc. But at the end of the day, I resigned and lifted up a short prayer. God, if you've really convicted me the past four years of a certain direction in life, then I want to trust that you will make it happen. God teach me to surrender daily.
3.11.08
After a long and eventful weekend, I came back from church and passed out in the living room. With my friends from out-of-town visiting for another friend's proposal to his girlfriend, I had quickly forgotten about the anxieties of graduate schools. But after I woke up from the much needed Sunday afternoon nap, I had an urge to check my mailbox. After all, I was expecting a package pertaining to my laptop. But instead, I found a large packet that resembled an admissions package. I quickly tore open the envelope to find an admissions letter from American University. I was floored. I had to read and reread the letter.
American University was definitely one of my top choices. It is ranked in the top ten international relations programs in the country. So when I found out I got accepted, I knew it was all by the grace of God. My academic standings were not all that great and I'm sure there were hundreds of more qualified applicants than me. So for me to gain acceptance into one of the best programs in the country was by far a miracle. It was almost as if God was saying, I created the heavens and the earth. I can move mountains. I can shake the earth. I can do all things. Throughout the night and even all of yesterday, I reflected a lot. I was talking to a brother about the process that God had taken me. And I'm so amazed. Eight years in Ann Arbor. Falling away and rejecting God. Crawling back like the prodigal son. A trip out to Southeast Asia. A trip out to China. Four years of serving the local church through thick and thin. Engineering. Pre-med. History. English. Journalism? Public Policy? International Relations. And here I stand. Completely amazed. Completely broken by the grace of God. Completely thankful for all the experiences God put me through. And I know He's not finished with me just yet.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
The Father's Love
Since the Winter Retreat, I've been thinking about this a lot.
* * *
1992. Barcelona, Spain. 400-meters.
Derek Redmond's track-and-field career had come down to this one race that he had been training for his entire life. After shattering the British record for the 400m, his career took a downturn, marred with serious injuries and knocking him out of the 1988 Seoul Olympics and other international competitions. But he was healthy again for his last shot at Olympic glory.
He coasted through his first few heats. And then tragedy struck again. With about half the race to go, he hears a pop and comes up limping in pain. He hobbles for a few more yards and then crumples to the turf. And his dreams of medaling are shot again.
Jim Redmond has traveled with his son to Barcelona. He sits in the stands, nervously watching his son race. Then he sees his son pull up, an all-too-familiar scene. He rushes down the stadium aisles, running towards his injured son. Security guards chase after him, trying to stop him. But Jim won't be stopped.
The medical stretcher arrives. Derek brushes them aside, determined to finish the race. He gets up and begins to limp on one leg towards the finish line. He was going to finish.
Jim runs on to the track and grabs Derek. "I'm here, son," he says to Derek. "We'll finish together." In front of tens of thousands of live spectators and millions more around the world, father and son walked the rest of the hundred-some meters to the finish line.
"I'm the proudest father alive," Jim tells the media afterwards. "I'm prouder of him than I would have been if he had won the gold medal. It took a lot of guts for him to do what he did."
* * *
I can't say I have or have had the most perfect relationship with my dad. I still carry deep-rooted emotional, psychological, and even physical scars from my youth. And there was a time I hated him and thought I would be better off without him. I couldn't understand how God was good.
But God is in the business of restoration and redeeming mankind. I am living proof. Today, I thank my God everyday for my father. God has healed a lot of the wounds. He has turned my dad's life around. And through the evolving relationship with my earthly father, I see a glimpse of the Heavenly Father's love for His sons and daughters.
A father's love knows no bounds.
* * *
but while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
* * *
1992. Barcelona, Spain. 400-meters.
Derek Redmond's track-and-field career had come down to this one race that he had been training for his entire life. After shattering the British record for the 400m, his career took a downturn, marred with serious injuries and knocking him out of the 1988 Seoul Olympics and other international competitions. But he was healthy again for his last shot at Olympic glory.
He coasted through his first few heats. And then tragedy struck again. With about half the race to go, he hears a pop and comes up limping in pain. He hobbles for a few more yards and then crumples to the turf. And his dreams of medaling are shot again.
Jim Redmond has traveled with his son to Barcelona. He sits in the stands, nervously watching his son race. Then he sees his son pull up, an all-too-familiar scene. He rushes down the stadium aisles, running towards his injured son. Security guards chase after him, trying to stop him. But Jim won't be stopped.
The medical stretcher arrives. Derek brushes them aside, determined to finish the race. He gets up and begins to limp on one leg towards the finish line. He was going to finish.
Jim runs on to the track and grabs Derek. "I'm here, son," he says to Derek. "We'll finish together." In front of tens of thousands of live spectators and millions more around the world, father and son walked the rest of the hundred-some meters to the finish line.
"I'm the proudest father alive," Jim tells the media afterwards. "I'm prouder of him than I would have been if he had won the gold medal. It took a lot of guts for him to do what he did."
* * *
I can't say I have or have had the most perfect relationship with my dad. I still carry deep-rooted emotional, psychological, and even physical scars from my youth. And there was a time I hated him and thought I would be better off without him. I couldn't understand how God was good.
But God is in the business of restoration and redeeming mankind. I am living proof. Today, I thank my God everyday for my father. God has healed a lot of the wounds. He has turned my dad's life around. And through the evolving relationship with my earthly father, I see a glimpse of the Heavenly Father's love for His sons and daughters.
A father's love knows no bounds.
* * *
but while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
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