“Turn my heart to your decrees, and not to selfish gain. Turn my eyes from looking at vanities; give me life in your ways.”
— Psalm 119:36–37
Dear members and friends,
Let me begin with a short story from Zhuangzi.
Zhuangzi once dressed in worn, patched clothing and went to see the prince of Wei.
“How miserable you look,” the prince remarked.
“It is poverty, not misery,” Zhuangzi replied. “A person who has the Dao cannot be miserable. Ragged clothes and worn shoes are poverty—not misery.”
Today, that distinction feels even more difficult to hold. We live in a world that constantly measures worth through productivity, income, appearance, and even attention. Our devices quietly train our eyes toward endless comparison, and our minds toward what is missing rather than what is present. The sense of “not enough” is no longer occasional; it is ambient.
The question remains, perhaps more urgent than before, who is responsible for the feeling of lack and discontent? And, is it the individual who feels it, or the environment that continuously influences it? Deeper still, who are we trying to please in our striving? Is it ourselves, or an undefined audience shaped by culture and expectation? Or is it God? What, then, is the “right” thing to pursue in this life, if such a thing can be clearly named?
When I was in my twenties, I assumed I would have clarity on these questions by the time I reached fifty. Now, standing past that threshold, I find that most questions remain, but they have changed in tone. They are quieter, less urgent, and perhaps more honest. One truth, however, has become increasingly clear: time spent in restless desire – for what I do not have, for what has not yet happened, or for what I believe should be different – is time that dissolves without substance. It does not build, heal, or sustain. But time spent in supporting, helping, and caring for others feels close to the right direction.
My brothers and sisters in God, let us take a moment of contemplation this week. Let us ask a deep and honest question to our hearts: what action makes you feel fulfilled and satisfied?
Blessings,
Rev. Junchol Lee