If We Never Give Up

Ko Gyeong-mi / Korea

If there was anyone I longed to share something precious with, it was my mother. When I came to know God Elohim more than ten years ago, she was the very first person who came to mind. As the eldest daughter, I had spent many years by her side and knew her better than anyone. I was certain that if I simply shared the truth with her, she would naturally come to church. That is why her reaction broke my heart all the more. Somehow, she had heard baseless rumors about the Church of God and even wept as she opposed my faith. Seeing my mother so resolute for the first time in my life came as a tremendous shock.

Yet once I had become certain of the truth, I could never turn my back on my faith. Because I understood her concerns, I prayed that her misunderstandings would be cleared away, while continually studying God’s word so that my own faith would never waver. Time and again, I gathered my courage and shared the truth with her, only to be rejected. Then I would compose myself and open my heart to her once more, only to see the distance between us grow again. This cycle repeated itself over and over.

Every time I faced my mother, it felt as though I were up against an immovable wall. Even so, how could I possibly give up? Though her rejection and harsh words wounded me, I never stopped sharing the truth with her. Because I loved my mother so deeply, I longed for us to receive salvation together.

Then, beginning last year, my mother’s attitude gradually began to change. Whenever our conversations turned to church, she listened attentively. When I earnestly told her how much I hoped we could receive the blessings of heaven together, she responded positively. But that was not all. Before long, she even asked what she would need to do if she came to church. The moment I heard those words, gratitude welled up in my heart.

At last, I went to church with my mother. It was a moment I had once thought might never come. After reverently taking part in the baptism ceremony, she turned to me and said,

“You’ve been living such a happy life. I don’t know why I was so hard on you all those years. I’m sorry.”

As I watched my mother say that she felt at peace and truly happy in Zion, it was as though she had become a different person. Seeing her that way, I felt as though all the hurt I had carried in my heart melted away like snow.

One thing I learned from leading my mother into God’s embrace was this: if your love for someone is genuine and you never give up on that soul, your sincerity will eventually reach their heart. That realization became an even firmer conviction when I met another precious soul.

More than twenty years ago, I met and older friend at a social gathering. We were both from the same hometown and had so much in common that we quickly became close. She cared for me as though I were her own younger sister, and I was deeply grateful for her kindness. But as we became caught up in our busy lives, we gradually lost touch. She often came to mind, but with no way of contacting her, all I could do was quietly treasure the memories we had shared.

Then one day last year, I received a call from an unfamiliar number. It was her. I was so thrilled to hear her voice that I immediately arranged to meet her. As we caught up on each other’s lives, she told me something I never expected. She said that mutual acquaintances had often spoken negatively to her about my faith. Yet every time they did, she had taken my side. I was deeply grateful to her, and at the same time, I wanted to tell her the truth about our church.

This, too, was no easy task. She had been born into a family of shamans and had always kept her distance from church. Because she had always appeared so strong and independent, I found it difficult even to bring up the subject. Even so, after what felt like a providential reunion, I could not simply let the opportunity slip away. Praying for God's help, I began sharing the Bible with her, and I was astonished by what I learned. From childhood, she had gone from one church to another in search of God and had devoted herself to her faith so wholeheartedly that she described herself as having been almost blindly devoted. But after being hurt by the self-serving attitudes of pastors, she had stopped setting foot in a church. As I carefully explained the truths of the Bible to her one by one, I took the opportunity to invite her to Zion.

She gladly accepted my invitation to Zion. As she watched the introductory video about the Church of God, she seemed deeply impressed by the churches established around the world and by the bright, joyful smiles of the members. She quickly struck up conversations with the members who warmly welcomed her, as though they had known one another for years, and received the blessing of new life. During the baptism ceremony, a pastoral staff member read the verse, “teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” She remembered those words and eagerly asked me what she should begin putting into practice first.

She told me how grateful she was that God had led her to Zion, where the truth and love are found, and that she wanted to live according to His word. And she truly meant it. She rearranged her busy work schedule so that she could faithfully keep God's commandments, and whenever she studied the Bible, she did so with the zeal of a student preparing for an important exam. She often says she is still spiritually inexperienced and has much to learn, but she earnestly strives to follow the example of the members who have gone before her in faith. From time to time, she shares with me the spiritual lessons she has learned along the way, and to me, her fragrance of Zion is sweeter than honey. Never could I have imagined that one day she and I would be keeping God’s commandments together and praising God Elohim.

If I had looked only at outward circumstances and given up too easily on the souls God had entrusted to me, I would never have borne any fruit. Through leading those I love to God, I came to realize that saving even one soul requires both a faith that never gives up and the patience to persevere to the end. With a compassionate heart that truly cherishes and loves each soul, I will continue sharing the message of salvation with many more people, following the example of Father and Mother, who have loved us to the very end.

If We Never Give Up

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