Day 13: May 17Scripture: I Corinthians 1: 18- 25 Last month I had a chance to go to a concert commemorating the 123rd anniversary of the Methodist mission to Korea. Alumni of two schools founded by American Methodist missionaries organized choirs and sang in the concert. One of the groups flew from Korea, and the other groups came from New York and Los Angeles. Unfortunately, there were not many American people, but the concert was inspiring and great. Listening to their singing, I remembered the power and the wisdom of the Gospel revealed in the modern history of Korea. The beginning of the Methodist mission was small and insignificant. However, 123 years later, the message of the cross touched and changed the lives of so many people in Korea. The gospel of Jesus Christ has also transformed the modern history of Korea. The missionaries introduced modern education to the “Hermit Kingdom” and contributed to abolishing class discrimination, which had lasted for hundreds of years. They opened schools for women and raised many Christian leaders. The current president of Korea is also a dedicated Christian. The modern history of Korea is a great testimony of the wisdom and the power of the good news of the cross. “All Things New,” which will be presented to the upcoming Annual Conference, is a movement to rediscover the power and the wisdom of Gospel. Today we live in a different world. The Gospel looks foolish to many people, but the power of the cross has not been changed. The risen Christ is still alive. As Paul says, to us who are called the message about the cross is still the power of God transforming our lives and the world. If all of us humbly rely on this power confessing that God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength, our conference will have a different future. Prayer: God of grace, help us to experience anew the power of the Gospel of the cross. We humbly confess that your way and your guidance have been always the best for us. Through “All Things New” renew and revitalize us that we may be faithful and fruitful to your mission. In the name of our risen Lord, we pray. Amen Young Jin Cho |