5.25.2025 Word from the Pastor

This week, I learned about the sudden death of someone I knew. I didn’t know them very well, but I had seen them just a few months ago, and they seemed perfectly healthy. I received the news through their Kakao account; they had experienced unexpected health complications and passed away suddenly. I was shocked. It’s hard to grasp how someone who appeared so healthy could pass so quickly. It was a sobering reminder of how fragile life truly is.

In my day to day life, I often live as though time is abundant. We make plans for tomorrow, next week, even next year. We operate under the assumption that we’ll always have more time. But the reality is that life can change or end at any moment. This isn’t meant to scare us, but to remind us of the truth. If I knew I had only one day left, how differently would I live?

The early Christians lived with this awareness every day. When they chose to follow Christ, they did so under persecution and the constant threat of death during the Roman Empire. They understood the cost and still counted it worth it to follow Jesus. We, on the other hand, have been incredibly blessed to live in a nation with religious freedom. How are we using that freedom? Are we truly living each moment for Christ and His kingdom?

Jesus often spoke of His return like a thief in the night, unexpected and unannounced. A thief doesn’t knock to warn you in advance. Jesus was teaching us to be ready at all times. So, how are we living in light of that? If He called you today, would you be ready, or would you wish you had done more?

This week has been a wake up call for me, not to drift through life, but to live each day intentionally. If I can make an impact for God’s kingdom every day, then I’m living the life He has called me to. Let’s be intentional with the time we have, with our families, our coworkers, our studies. Let’s do our best with what God has entrusted to us. Every moment is a gift. Let us never take His blessings for granted, but live each day with purpose.