“Whoever does the will of God is my brother, and sister, and mother.”
Mark 3:35
Dear members and friends,
For a long time, I meditated on a simple, but challenging question: what is life? The word life itself is quite a broad term. In an English dictionary, we find four different definitions: 1. the condition that distinguishes animals and plants from inorganic matter; 2. the existence of an individual human being or animal; 3. the period between the birth and death of a living thing, especially a human being; 4. vitality, vigor, or energy. The specific focus of my meditation has been on the second and third of these definitions. I was very curious to know why I came into existence, and what I should do with the time between my birth and death. In my darkest times, I met my teachers: Confucius, Buddha, and Lao-zi. With their wisdom accompanied by meditation practice, I was able to travel through the darkness until I reached the place where there was light.
The name Jesus was not personally important to me until I was about 27 when I reached the place of light, or truth. This light which illuminated my path was shone from the teachings of Jesus. But Mark 3:35 was one of the brighter teachings: “Whoever does the will of God is my brother, and sister, and mother.” On that meaningful day, this verse hit my heart deeply. “Wow,” I thought to myself, “there is a way that I could become a true family of Jesus!” This was very important to me especially because at that time, I felt that I had no family on earth regardless of those people who shared blood ties with me. This significant and inspiring teaching both inspired and reinvigorated my heart for living and life. What is truly important is that this teaching was given to all humans! Of course, being family with the Creator is neither an automatic status nor purchasable commodity. According to Jesus, we must earn this spiritual state of being by “living the will of God.” What is the will of God? Some people may debate it, but the Bible itself clearly states that you love others without an expectation of gain, honor, or power.
My brothers and sisters in God, truly we are family in Creator. What ties us is not the blood, but the love taught by Jesus. Let us take this love deeply into our hearts, and let it reform our hearts.
Blessings, Rev. Junchol Lee