Jeon So-yeong
During my high school years, I loved spending time in Zion. I enjoyed being around the members and studying God’s word, so I eagerly joined in every activity. I assumed it would be the same when I entered university. However, what I thought would be a smooth journey of faith came to an abrupt halt when the COVID-19 pandemic struck. On the surface, the challenge was the difficulty of attending worships and gatherings in person. Yet beneath that, I began to feel the weight of relationships that no longer felt as natural as they once had. As I grew accustomed to online worship and stopped going to Zion, both my body and heart gradually drifted away from God. In the meantime, I became used to chasing momentary pleasures, but they always left me with a hollow emptiness. Not knowing the true reason, I simply let time slip by.
When the pandemic finally ended, I returned to Zion for worship. The warmth of Zion and the kindness of the members was just as I remembered. I came to a profound realization: the true, complete happiness and deep joy I had been searching for could only be found in the loving embrace of our Heavenly Mother. Filled with gratitude for God’s call to return, I recommitted myself to practicing my faith with the same diligence as before. Zion offered countless blessings and opportunities, yet I was painfully aware of my own shortcomings. During my time away from Zion, I had become too comfortable with words and behaviors that were not pleasing to God. Even if no one else noticed, I could not fool myself.
At that time, while reading the sermon collection Walking with God, I came across the line: “Many people we meet throughout our life are all gifts from God.” Gifts are usually chosen to please the recipient. Surely, God, who knows me even better than I know myself, would only give me what is truly beneficial. In hindsight, I realized that even the challenging relationships I had struggled with were gifts meant to help me grow. Once easily swayed and quick to be hurt, I became stronger through encounters with people in various situations. Only then did I understand that, even when I was unaware, God had been pouring out His love and care for me in countless ways. I felt deep remorse for the times I wandered without recognizing it.
I resolved that, no matter what challenges I face, I would approach them with faith, trusting that God has a purpose for me. Not long after, I attended an event at the Okcheon Go&Come Training Institute. Watching members who had diligently studied the words of God and preached the gospel throughout the school term—and witnessing them being recognized by Mother—made me reflect deeply. While evangelism and Bible study are duties we must fulfill for our salvation, Mother praised and encouraged us even when we do what is expected. Above all, She rejoiced to see Her children return to Zion, where salvation is promised. I felt admiration for the members who, from their own positions, produced meaningful results that brought a smile to Mother’s face.
My heart raced. I recalled someone saying, “A vision is something that makes your heart beat faster.” Until then, I had been living day by day, handling whatever tasks came my way without ever setting a bigger goal. But now, with a vision I deeply long to achieve, my approach to everything began to change gradually.
The moment I got back to school, I began sharing God’s word with every classmate in my department. It was something I had never done before, nor had I even imagined doing. Still, my earnestness overcame any hesitation or sense of burden. Believing that some of them might be yearning for Mother’s embrace, I resolved to make sure that everyone around me had the opportunity to hear the gospel, sharing it whenever time allowed.
As a result, one of my friends, whom I’ve known since elementary school, received the blessing of new life. Soon after, though, she came across ungrounded slanders about the Church of God and began to misunderstand both me and the church. Other friends who heard her words were also misled, which left me distressed and even somewhat afraid. I knew from experience that some people tend to react harshly when they first hear God’s word. Yet this time, I did not retreat. I had fellow members by my side to encourage me, and I was always surrounded by Mother’s love. When I remembered the lonely and difficult path Father and Mother endured without anyone to console Them, my own struggles felt so small in comparison. In that light, even this brief trial came to feel like a precious gift.
Thinking of how anxious and heartbroken God must feel for His children who have not yet returned to His embrace, I found the strength to try again. I opened the Bible with my friend, patiently clearing up each misunderstanding and sharing the truth. By God’s grace, my friend gradually began to listen, came to acknowledge the truth, and eventually started keeping God’s regulations.
Through this experience, I came to realize once again that even in situations I find uncomfortable or would rather avoid, if I rely on God and strive to overcome them, He grants me the wisdom and strength to turn them around. As I fixed my eyes on Him and focused only on the gospel without being swayed by circumstances, God allowed me to find another heavenly family that He placed in my path.
One of my friends, who was very devoted to the Catholic Church and read the Bible often, once suggested we share our favorite verses. Her choice was Matthew 22:37: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” I was struck by this, because the truth I had most wanted to share with her—the Passover—is precisely the way to keep that first and greatest commandment. As soon as I told her about it, she accepted without even a second of hesitation and became a child of God. Even while managing a busy life, she faithfully kept the regulations and studied the Bible, expressing her love for God. She later said she hoped her closest friend could also receive the blessing. Together, we shared the truth with that friend—and she too received God Elohim. Besides them, many others—including a friend who longed for Mother’s love and even my cousin—came to understand the truth and receive the blessing of the forgiveness of sins.
Unlike the emptiness I had felt in previous years, 2023 was filled with the joy and gratitude of being able to share God’s love with others. When I received an award at the event held last year, my heart overflowed with thankfulness—not for the award itself, but for all I had already gained in the process of setting a vision and pursuing it with faith. Since then, even when I faced discouraging circumstances or the limits of my own strength, I was able to overcome by relying on God Elohim. Though my efforts and sacrifices were small, I was deeply grateful for the opportunity to bring joy to Father and Mother. Through sharing the news of salvation, I was blessed to lead fifty heavenly family members back to God that year.
When I hold my faith and view everything through God’s perspective, I can realize that every person I meet and every circumstance I face is a gift given for the salvation of my soul. Even the times I withdrew in uncertainty became opportunities to gather strength and prepare to press forward. They allowed me to reflect on myself, repent, and realign the direction of my faith. Now, with the vision of becoming an overseas prophet and a broader perspective on the gospel, I will run forward for the sake of my brothers and sisters dedicating themselves to the gospel around the world—and for Father and Mother.