bcstn

Be Holy

1 Peter 1:13-25 

Be Holy

 ¹³ Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. ¹⁴ As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. ¹⁵ But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; ¹⁶ for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

 ¹⁷ Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. ¹⁸ For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, ¹⁹ but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. ²⁰ He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. ²¹ Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.

 ²² Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart. ²³ For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. ²⁴ For,

   “All people are like grass,
   and all their glory is like the flowers of the field;
the grass withers and the flowers fall,
 ²⁵ but the word of the Lord endures forever.”

   And this is the word that was preached to you.

Was that too long for you to read during finals time? During this time of stress and chaos, we need to constantly check our hearts. Did we remember to talk to God today, to take 5 minutes to be silent with God and pray to Him w/o our hearts beating out of our chests because we just don’t have the time.

 During this time of just holding our breaths for 2 weeks, we should remember that God is completely present and wants to help us through this time of grueling work. Have your faith and hope in God. always.

Good luck studying for finals everyone.

(How’s studying for finals going? Submit a post on our blog about it and how God is helping you, we’d love the encouragement =]) 

Beauty in Blindness

Sometimes I think I am blind- literally, figuratively, and metaphysically. Literally because I swear my vision is getting worse and worse every day. Figuratively because I don’t know the future. Metaphysically because… I don’t know. Metaphysically just rhymed with the rest of the words. 

Everyone is blind- but some of us don’t know it yet. Some of us are in denial. Some of us are afraid of this blindness. But I think there is a value in being blind- in not knowing how our lives will pan out, in not knowing basically ANYTHING about the future. Relying on ourselves, our blindness, instead of the big G. 

I think God made us all blind so we can listen. So we could stop pretending every day that we can see, so we can stop pretending that we know everything and doing what we want while attempting to create poetic lives while really we are merely stumbling around in the dark, tripping and falling over ourselves. I think God wants us to hear. God wants us to be still. God wants us to acknowledge our blindness, our helplessness and then give up every aspect up to Him. To accept our blindness and trust. And then, and finally then, can we be free. Free to not worry or stress because it is no longer our will that leads our lives. We merely have to listen. 

There is a certain beauty in blindness. There is a certain terrifying beauty in not knowing where your foot will land at the next step. There is a certain extraordinary freedom in giving up your fears, triumphs, dreams up to what to God and what He wants. Only then, when He leads our lives can we truly be free to be who we are. Ironic!!! Tis is. When we no longer lead our own lives, when we embrace blindness, when we trust trust trust trust TRUST can we be free to LIVE.

This doesn’t mean that life will be easy peasy lemon squeasy. Trials and tribulations will come as they always do, but now everything is put into perspective, everything is put into context. We find… peace because no matter what we do, failure is not an option. There is a God in heaven who knows our name, who accepts us at our best, but more importantly our worst. And I think there is a beautiful freedom in that statement, knowing that we are loved no matter what we do. Such is perfect peace. 

You keep him in perfect peace
 whose mind is stayed on you,
because he trusts in you.
Trust in the Lord forever,
for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.

—Isaiah 26:3-4

Do not worry if this seems difficult for you to do. This is not a natural thing- this is not something that people wake up and BECOME. It is a process of constant reflection, constant questioning of the motives of our actions- is what I’m doing glorifying God? Is what I’m doing treating people with the respect and dignity they deserve? Etc. et al. And once you decide to take this path it’s not sunshine, unicorns and flowers. You may find yourself sacrificing things you wanted, you may find yourself re-evaluating what you want to do in the future, you may find yourself peering down the edge of a monstrous cliff. But I think that the future and what it holds, what God holds for us, makes the things of now that trouble us incomparable to God’s plan, the perfect plan, we are destined to fulfill. 

So. What is the application in this? Take time to be still. Pray, and ask God for guidance. And if you don’t know what you need guidance in, just say that. Listen! God will be faithful to those who seek. It may take time, it may come in a way you’ve never expected. Just listen and seek. AND! Read the Good Word and apply it to your life. See God in all things you do. Generic advice no? But sometimes the best path is the most obvious one. 

⁹ “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. ¹⁰ For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

Luke 11:9-12

The author of this post doesn’t have everything together. Shoot, far from it. But realization is the first step, and we hope together as Cornerstone, as Boston College, as God’s people we can choose what God wants, to glorify his name and bring the Kingdom onto Earth, by our own individual and different ways. 

You will say in that day:
“I will give thanks to you, O Lord,
for though you were angry with me,
your anger turned away,
that you might comfort me.

“Behold, God is my salvation;
I will trust, and will not be afraid;
for the Lord God is my strength and my song,
and he has become my salvation.”

—Isaiah 12:1-2

Holding on

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all his benefits- who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. (Psalm 103:2-5)  

Oh man. Just looking at the next couple weeks and all the work that is in store, I am exhausted. I have no motivation to do it and I am easily brought down by little things. Perhaps a step away from being completely overwhelmed but I’m not sure. I’m a little lost as to how to use my time and though nothing is wrong, things seem slightly off, like they could be better. Maybe its the ominous feeling like when I least expect it, something terrible is going to go wrong and fall apart. Unnecessary worry is what that is. But it sure it tiring.

I’ve been praying a lot through my anxieties and it’s been pretty helpful. Whenever those feelings start to take over, I start praying like crazy because I hate feeling that way. The worries are still pretty present though, some times more than others.  I guess it’s a feeling of being out of control which is strange, because things are more in control now more so than a couple weeks ago.

I think part of it has to do with having gone home last week. Quality time with the family for Thanksgiving was unbelievable, but in a bittersweet way, I was reminded of life outside of my own life at BC. My parents never tell me about financial troubles. I grew up never knowing that we were never well off, if not always struggling. Although nothing was very different this time around at home, I could feel that financial burden my parents were going through but kept so well hidden from us. For some reason, I think I brought that feeling of burden for my family to me back to school and that mixed with all this work ahead and planning for the future, it’s kind of a lot.  

I’m strugging, that is for sure and I might for some time, but I know that God redeems my life and He satisfies my desires with good things. Good things. I will be renewed. I am renewed. Don’t forget his promise when things get busy or tough my dear friends. That’s when He opens up His arms wide and wants to hold us tight the most. Keep holding me God, hold me tight.

Tis’ the Season of Giving

Hello. I hope everyone had an amazing and restful break.

For me, it sped by. So fast. But, it was good. Good company, good conversation, good food—I had much to be thankful for. 

Let me rewind to Saturday night.

I was in New York with some friends. It was around dinner time and we were at the Shake Shack in Madison Square. Here’s what it looks like, in case you don’t know:

It’s a nice little outdoor venue with some bomb hamburgers and fries. It was a chilly New York evening and my hands were freezing. There was a decent crowd eating here, despite the inconvenient weather. Each party huddled around a table near a standing outdoor heater—thank God for those things, for warmth. 

We ordered our food and grabbed a table somewhat near the heaters (all the closer tables were taken). And one or two tables away from us was a man. 

He was not eating. He was just sitting there, arms crossed, legs up on another chair, staring off into space. It was pretty evident that he was a homeless man (or so I quickly assumed, based on the given circumstances). I assumed that he was homeless and that he was sitting there to get as much warmth as he could before he got kicked out or the place closed. 

As I sat there eating my Shackburger and crinkle cut fries, that lone man sitting two tables down had me somewhat concerned:

“Should I go ask if he wants anything to eat? Well….maybe he’s not homeless? Maybe he’s waiting for someone? How would he feel if I went up and asked if he wanted something to eat and it turns out he’s not even homeless? Okay, no. Okay, maybe. Maybe he’s not even hungry. Should I………?”

A part of me told me I should go ask him if he wanted something to eat. Another part of me threw out countless counterarguments to that impulse. And as I was busy debating by myself…

A security guard came over and politely told the man that this seat was for customers and that he would have to move unless he bought something. The man politely got up, said something I couldn’t really hear, and moved to the benches a couple of feet away.

It was so cold. He was wearing a hoodie and thin gym pants. I was wearing two jackets and jeans, sitting next to the heater, and I was still pretty cold. 

He stood there, pacing back and forth in front of the bench.

I sat there eating my Shackburger and crinkle cut fries and, as I watched that man pace back and forth, in my head:

“Okay, obviously he is homeless. Should I walk over and ask if he wants something to eat? Then he can eat and sit under the heater…”

I wish I could say I walked over, but I didn’t. 

I should have just walked over. I wish I did. The worst that could’ve happened is him saying no. Right? 

Too bad, in the moment, my head was drawing up all these crazy scenarios that prevented me from walking over. 

I pray for solidarity with the poor. But it is so hard. I know Jesus would have walked over to that man. And I know I am called to follow after Christ. I know, but putting that into action is still very much a challenge. 

We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sisters in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person? Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.
1 John 3:16-18

When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.
Romans 12:13

If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord — and he will repay you!
Proverbs 19:17

The calling is hard to heed. But, we are called.

And I don’t have any wise words of advice or step-by-step directions to solidarity with those in need.

I’m just here to state the obvious, because sometimes we need it. And to share my struggle so that maybe you can help me. Or we can struggle together and help each other.

We are called to care for those in need. That’s a lot of people, a lot of different circumstance and it can be overwhelming. But, take it one individual at a time, care for one at a time. Care. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. 

Especially with Christmas coming up, the world is going to shift into the season of giving. But, as Christians, we’re called to a lifetime of giving—whatever shape or form that might take on. And for me, it’s so easy to know that and just be content knowing it while my lifestyle shows no proof of that knowledge.

 …let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.

Do you notice the homeless around you? What do you do when you see them?

Once on the street, people started to walk past [the homeless], ignoring [them] as if [they don’t] exist… much like they do a piece of trash on the sidewalk. It’s not that people are bad, but if we make eye contact, or engage in conversation, then we have to admit they exist and that we might have a basic human need to care. But it’s so much easier to simply close our eyes and shield our hearts to their existence. -InvisiblePeople

The least I try to do is look them in the eye and smile. I know, I should do more. 

And somewhere down the line, I hope I can do what I know I should do. 

I find it easier to put my heart into orphans overseas and close my eyes to the homeless right here…

I find it easier to learn about the lives of refugees in Sudan than learn about the life of the homeless man I pass on my way to Le’s Pho…

I find it easier to go on One Love and do mission work in the slums of Mexico City than care for the homeless here in Boston…

And I know it’s not right. 

“You know the right thing to say, you know the right thing to do, but sometimes when you grow up in the church, what you really learn the most is how to pose” - Eric Boles

I pray that I will be constantly reminded of the difference between posing and being & that I would never fall into the comforts of posing.

I pray for genuine love and care for all. 

I pray for you. I pray for me. And for a world in need. 

Here’s to a lifetime of giving.

Cheers. 

I Am Grateful

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!! 

To continue on this giving of thanks, I just want to highlight a few things I am extremely grateful for on this holiday. Even though we should be giving thanks all the time, this is a good time to truly reflect on how DARN GOOD GOD IS. We have been blessed beyond measure, and one of the ways we exalt God and glorify Him is to show Him thanks for what He has given us. Only when we realize how much we have been given, only when we realize how FORTUNATE we are as opposed to the rest of the world, will the trivial troubles and petty problems that once seemed to plague our lives so harshly no longer bother us. For when we reflect on what we have, we realize that God makes us sufficient and has provided for us in SO MANY WAYS! And in this glorious prospect we can praise God and move to share our blessings with the world.

A few things I am grateful for:

I am grateful for the life, death, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ who allows us to have perfect purpose and a new life.

I am grateful for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness- to a country that values democracy and freedom.

I am grateful for being a part of the 1% of the human population that attends college

I am grateful for never having gone hungry in my life, for being able to expand my waistline while millions around the world die from poverty and hunger

I am grateful for having a family that wants me to do what I want and supports my decisions

I am grateful for plumbing, clean water, easily accessible medicine, how warm my house is and the clothes on my back

I am grateful for the opportunity to worship God EVERYWHERE without being persecuted or ridiculed. Yesterday I went to a potluck dinner at a church and I was struck by how… wonderful!! it was to worship God so freely and openly, whenever and wherever. 

I am grateful for the suffering in my life- all the experiences and events that have made me stronger

I am grateful for having people in my life who see me as redeemable in all situations. Those who practice the selfless and courageous love that Jesus practiced- those who love me no matter how hard I think I’ve failed, no matter how low I’ve been, no matter my weaknesses or strengths, in my happiest and saddest and normalest. Thank you for helping me see Jesus so clearly and what it means to be loved by Him. :) smiley!!

Finally, I am grateful for the promise of the Kingdom of Heaven- even if I can’t see it so clearly or sometimes I doubt, I KNOW that a New Earth is in our sights.

As we gobble down turkey and stuff ourselves silly, I hope we can take a little time out of our day to practice this beautiful THANKFULNESS. 

A good thing to do is pray. Pray thanking God for his blessings. But also, as you pray, keep in mind some of these statistics. 

8 million people die from lack of food and nutrition every year - about 24,000 deaths each day. 
1.37 billion people live on less than $1.25 a day, and 2.56 billion live on less than $2 a day. Moreover, 5.05 billion people (more than 80 percent of the world’s population) live on less than $10 a day. 
Each year, over 10 million children in developing countries die before the age of five. More than half of these deaths are attributed to malnutrition, which claims a child’s life every 5 seconds.

There are a million more statistics like this- but I think these are enough. This is not to depress people or make people feel terrible as they eat their turkey. It’s ok to eat a big dinner, so please don’t feel guilty when you read these stats. Instead, I hope it is a reminder of what life COULD HAVE been like for us. How fortunate are we, merely by our location of birth? Remember that every number is a human being, and hopefully be thankful- you know? Pray for these statistics. Before you dig in, pray against poverty and hunger and lift up the suffering of the world to God. 

Application: Write down three people who you are thankful for, and think of why you are thankful for them. Then write three ways you can express your gratitude towards them. 

Or just write out a list of everything you’re grateful for. :) :)
I think you’ll find as you write more and more things you’re grateful for, your heart will feel like its strangely growing, and a feeling may radiate from the top of your head all the way to the bottoms of your tippy toes. A feeling that I’ve rarely felt and only dreamed of. The feeling of peace.
And all praise be to Him even if we feel like we are not getting what we want.
We hope that as you fellowship with your family or friends for Thanksgiving, you feel peace in the things God has provided for you and the things He will ALWAYS provide for you. 

<3 

Life and Lots of Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is in less than 2 days and to me, that is a crazy thing. That pretty much means just a couple more weeks until the semester is over. It’s also crazy because it just seems like fantastic timing to celebrate giving thanks when I feel especially thankful.

This last week for me was busy and strange. It was quite a special week in that it was so different from any other week at BC so far this semester. Just a different feel if that makes sense.

It was surely tough, I had 4 midterms and my first Law School application due which I ended up sending at 11:59pm. But strangely enough, besides a rough patch last Monday when I felt pretty overwhelmed about what lay ahead in the week, it was a really peaceful week and one of my least stressful ones. Praise God. During Cornerstone’s Wednesday prayer meeting, we posted up some of our prayers on a poster (which we’re doing every week from now on) and one of mine was for God to get me through the week and give me restoration and strength at the end of it. And although my body is feeling way exhausted and my eyes are tired and slightly red, I am so incredibly grateful to God because I made it through the week safe and sound.

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Thank you God.

Every time I’m going through a tough time and I’m just feeling like it’s the end of the world, my mom tells me to say Thank you God 10 times. I say it in Korean. Hah nah nim, gam sahm ni dah……. Hah nah nim, gam sahm ni dah……..Hah nah nim, gam sahm ni dah……

I am so grateful that she told me to do that even though I felt silly sometimes saying it on the phone with her. Once you get the hang of it, it gets so much easier. So while this week was legit terrible, as I said thank you God throughout the week, I genuinely felt thankful.

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During small groups at Cornerstone on Friday, I had the MOST blessing time with my small group. I feel SO blessed by them. I will say that this was the first time in probably about a year and a half where I really felt like relationships could be deeper and conversations could be meaningful and genuine. Especially to the people that shared their brokenness and struggles with us, and to the rest of small group for embracing them with such love, I thank you so much for giving me that again. What a blessing and it’s only our second meeting. God is really working within our small group and I pray that he keeps working in our community at Cornerstone and at BC.

So this weekend. I was at OneLove Missions Training this Saturday and I honestly couldn’t imagine anywhere else I’d rather be. Having that opportunity to serve God, and be w/ my fellow Brothers and Sisters who were willing to sacrifice their Spring Break and have a heart to invest their time and heart into training. How awesome.

I ended up going to Wellesley afterwards with the intention of catching up with one of my Cornerstone sisters that I haven’t seen in a minuteeee. I randomly decided to stay over for the night (which resulted in wearing the same clothes for church the next day plus a sweatshirt, although it was done rather inconspicuously- thank you jeans haha) and the conversations and good company that came from that night were unexpected and really meaningful. I ended up meeting a lot of other people too and got to spend time with them which was really nice. It was a really ideal night just chilling, playing games, laughing. God has fed me so much this weekend.

As I finally have time to decompress, relax and take some time for myself, I am definitely tired but I am SO thankful for everything God has given me this semester. This year is definitely my favorite so far and it is definitely because of the peace He has given me throughout the last couple of months.

In this season of Thanks, let’s not forget to remember all the things God has given us and provided for us and all the things he will continue to give us and provide for us. He is a God of abundance and even when it feels like we are in the desert, He is holding our lives in His hands and will never let us go.

So take it easy this Thanksgiving break, and really enjoy the good food and good company. And really take the time to think about the things you are thankful for and lift those things up to God. And if you can’t think of anything, you can always just do a little 

Hah nah nim, gam sahm ni dah.

Hah nah nim, gam sahm ni dah

Hah nah nim, gam sahm ni dah.

Thank you God.

Thank you God.

Thank you God.

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And if you’re feeling extra ambitious, go ahead and say it 10 times.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.