What Never Changes, No Matter Where I Am

As the years pass, the weight of responsibility only seems to grow. Life is no longer just about completing tasks at work; it is about the delicate balance of maintaining relationships. At home, my heart is occupied with my parents’ health and the steady stream of family matters that demand attention. Before I know it, another year has slipped away. Yet, amidst the rush, I strive to remain devoted—to serving, to sharing the gospel, and to fulfilling every task within Zion, no matter how small it may seem. I hold onto the quiet faith that Heavenly Mother is pleased when Her children devote themselves to anything that contributes to the work of the gospel.

However, it was not always this way. Though the gospel is about doing what pleases God, I once sought only my own goals—constantly swayed by fleeting moments of joy and disappointment.

It was more than twelve years ago. Shortly after my wife and I were married in the faith, we began preparing for a long-term overseas mission. The passion I had once felt during mission work in my youth remained vivid, and because we had long dreamed of this opportunity, our expectations were sky-high. I had poured my heart into that one goal, praying for it and working toward it with everything I had. When it vanished, the disappointment was overwhelming. I found myself lost, wrestling with endless questions: What is God’s will? What am I supposed to do now? Eventually, I realized I could not remain trapped in discouragement. I gathered my resolve and decided that no matter how difficult the path became, I would not give up on God’s work. I started again, step by step, doing whatever was right in front of me. I learned that if the desire is truly in our hearts, we can devote ourselves to the gospel anytime and anywhere.

As it happened, I moved to a workplace that offered more flexibility. Believing there was a reason I had to remain in Korea, I began sharing the Bible with family and friends who had yet to know the truth. Among them was a younger colleague from my previous job with whom I had become as close as a brother. To my joy, he accepted the truth—though it was not because he had a profound realization or exceptional faith at first. As he later shared, he simply felt that if I was the one inviting him, it must be a good place. I had suspected as much at the time, but knowing that even his monthly steps to Zion were guided by God, I never gave up. I continued to lead him patiently, sharing the words of life little by little.

Five years passed this way. At one point, I noticed the brother looking unusually burdened, as though weighed down by deep worries. When I carefully reached out, he opened his heart and shared that he was going through a personal crisis—one he had been enduring alone, with nowhere to turn for help. With a sense of regret for not noticing sooner, I offered him comfort. I suggested that if he opened his heart and prayed to God, his thoughts would find clarity and he would find the strength he needed. My words seemed to resonate. He began to seek God more frequently, and soon, the light returned to his face. The brother who once listened to God’s word out of obligation began to change. He started summarizing the lessons on his own, asking thoughtful questions, and eventually even delivering sermon presentations. I realized then that even during the years when his faith seemed stagnant, the word of God sown in the soil of his heart had been quietly taking root. Now, having built his faith step by step, he keeps every worship service with sincerity and is even sharing the truth with his own parents.

Had I gone overseas according to my own plans back then, I would never have met this brother or witnessed such grace. In my younger years, I did not know how to wait patiently for even one soul. By allowing me remain where I was and look after those around me, God allowed me to find a precious heavenly brother and filled my gaps with the patience and love I had been missing.

Eleven years later, the long-awaited opportunity for an overseas mission finally returned. I felt deeply grateful that God had not forgotten the desire I had held in my heart for so long. Yet as the time to depart drew near, I found myself hesitating; I worried that my limited language ability might make me a burden to the team. It was then that a member who had already served on an overseas mission encouraged me, saying, “God has given you this opportunity for a blessing—you should definitely go.” Through those words, I realized that, whether in the past or now, what mattered was simply following where God leads. I recognized that I had been putting my own thoughts first. Letting go of my hesitation, I chose to move forward with courage.

On my first day in Japan, I was busy following those who were fluent in the language or more familiar with the local culture. But I soon realized I could not spend this long-awaited opportunity simply following others. That evening, I began to speak, bringing out the Japanese phrases I had memorized, one word at a time. Contrary to my fears, people listened attentively to the truth. Some even encouraged me, saying they understood clearly. As my confidence grew and I was reminded of the passion I once had, I began sharing the truth of Father and Mother with joy each day. Whenever I met someone who listened carefully to my stumbling words and took time to study the Bible, a sincere prayer would naturally rise from my heart: May this soul come to know the true God.

I paused to reflect on when I had last preached with such earnestness. In truth, there had been countless opportunities in Korea, and I believed I had been doing my best. Yet perhaps my heart had grown dull—gradually numbed by the familiarity of my surroundings and the repetition of daily routines. This short-term mission became a source of renewed strength; It awakened my slumbering spirit and filled me with a sense of urgency.

Upon returning to Korea during the Preaching Festival, I stepped out briefly to share the gospel before the Sabbath afternoon worship. In a nearby park, I encountered a foreigner who was resting. Feeling nervous and limited by the language barrier, I could only introduce our church briefly before walking away. Suddenly, however, the man turned around and approached me, asking if he could visit the church and where it was located. Thankfully, there was a member in Zion who spoke his language fluently, so I invited him to come that evening. He turned out be an assistance coach of an archery team visiting Korea for training. He shared that he had often reflected the mysteries of the soul. When he heard that we have a heavenly home to return to, he received the message with great joy and was blessed to become a child of God. Since he wished to create a special memory before returning to his country the next day, we visited several exhibitions being held at nearby churches: the “Our Mother” Writing and Photo Exhibition, the “Father’s True Heart” Exhibition, and the “Media’s Views” Exhibition. Deeply moved through this time, he returned home with the love of Father and Mother engraved in his heart.

I long to approach the gospel every day with the same passion I felt during my short-term mission. Over time, I have come to realize that the blessing of finding our heavenly family is granted not when I pursue my own plans in my own way, but when I wholeheartedly obey God’s will exactly where I am. There was a time when I believed I needed to stand at the very forefront, as if I were the main character of the story. When I felt distanced from that position, I would become discouraged and shaken. But I have learned that what truly matters is not where we stand, but with what kind of heart we carry out our work. In the end, it is God who leads the gospel. He does not look at our outward position or circumstances, but at the center of our faith.

Now, I reflect on the role I can fulfill today to bring joy to God on the stage He has entrusted to me. I understand that the true protagonist is not defined by position, but by a heart that aligns with God’s will. Whether my role is great or small, I want to serve faithfully wherever I am needed. In this way, I hope to play my part—however humble—as God brings a beautiful close to this stage of the gospel.