It's become gradually more clear, God's intention for me here. One thing I could never trade has been the life experience I've gained, it is invaluable:
- Being thrown into an uncomfortable environment and my following response has shown me a lot about my character. My weaknesses, my strengths, and everything in-between. I've got a lot of work to do, only through Christ.
- The friends I've gained have given me a better understanding of the kinds of friends I want in this world. There are people that are real and I can do life with, there are people that I can work with but don't necessarily get along with as great friends, and there are people that are on completely different wavelengths. Being a natural people-pleaser, I've come to realize that not everyone can be your friend, no matter how hard you try. Be you and only you. God calls people into your life and we must strive to discern His plan, not our own.
- Ministry is about the salvation of souls. That is the end baseline that all decisions should be made on. It is easy to get lost into the social aspect of a church community, particularly in the Korean-American culture, but all things a ministry does regards souls and should be treated carefully. Being in charge of newcomers, I feel a huge burden when newcomers leave feeling unwelcome, thus leaving the ministry. Learning to love souls here.
- The church is flawed. Politics are rampant. People put into positions of responsibility fail constantly behind the scenes. DESPITE all of this, the church is beautiful. It is necessary. It is a spiritual hospital where completely broken souls come to experience healing. We must remember that ALL people are in need of saving and Christ is the ultimate healer.
- Working in the restaurant has been one the avenues of learned the most from. I recently moved from the sports bar to Bonchon. As a server at the sports bar, I learned money is hard to earn, people (many of my co-workers) lead more difficult lives than I imagined, and sometimes life isn't fair. At Bonchon, I've learned that successful businesses are built on strong relationships, that working and earning money can be so fun with the right people, and that God absolutely does provide.
- We as Christians are called to have missional lives. It was God's great commission to his people to make disciples of all nations. To KNOW salvation. This doesn't mean to head off to Uganda tomorrow all gung-ho, it means to wake up everyday knowing you are saved, to go about your day knowing many don't know the gospel and it's truth, and to act accordingly.
Probably missed a lot of smaller things but this is the general gist I could come up with in 20 minutes. Anyways, Bonchon company holiday party at DC in 1 hour. God is good, guys.
Stay Thankful,
Will Cheon
