“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” -Matthew 11:28-30
Dear members and friends,
In a way, it is inevitable that humans consider their life on earth as the entirety of their existence. After all, we are all born, raised and survive in this present, physical reality. For most people, being alive is considered a blessing while death is often considered a loss or at least something negative. However, one undeniable truth is that death is inevitable to us all. Therefore, when we think of death as a loss or something negative, we might conclude that our lives are inevitably heading toward a tragic end. This could cause two noticeable reactions in human minds: 1. Inconsolable discomfort regarding life itself, because it is destined for a negative ending; 2. Unresolvable anxiety, because there is nothing we can do to change the inevitably of death. However, this is why the message of Jesus is both powerful and important. Jesus teaches us not only that our being does not end with the death of the physical body, but also that our lives are destined for something positive and beautiful beyond what the physical reality can offer.
Covid has been and still is a troubling force in our lives, causing much suffering and many obstacles in our present reality. The fact is that no one knows when it will end, nor does anyone know how we will overcome it. But lately it has become evident to me that it is about time we consider how we can live with it. The risk of sickness and death has been present in human lives ever since the beginning. Covid is definitely dangerous to all of us with its threatening and invasive presence. Yet as a Christian, I find the message of Jesus – that our true life happens in heaven – very meaningful and powerful, especially in this challenging time. Of course, I am doing everything within my ability to protect myself, my family in God, and neighbors in the community from Covid, but I do not overload my mind with the desire to have absolute certainty of anything. As long as I have done everything within my ability, I can leave the rest in the hands of our loving and wise God, as Jesus teaches us. I have no idea how 2022 will unfold, especially with Covid, but I am fully certain that I will do my best to focus on aspects of life that are filled with love, joy and usefulness.
Blessings, Rev. Junchol Lee