Who is in your frame?  

Matthew 6:26 “Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?”  

On a late afternoon drive to Wilmington via the freeway, I stumbled upon a stunning scene behind a rest area. Many tourists were gathered, taking pictures of the breathtaking sunset. Among them were a few professional photographers, carefully setting up their cameras and equipment to capture the beauty of the moment. 

I was fortunate enough to speak with one of the photographers and asked, “What does it take to get that perfect shot?” Expecting an answer like “a good digital camera,” “great lighting,” “a high-definition zoom lens,” or even “excellent editing software,” his response took me by surprise.  “Frame,” he said. “Capturing an image in the right frame, from the right angle, is absolutely essential. It’s the most basic lesson but also the most important for a professional photographer.” 

His words lingered in my mind.   What kind of “frame” do you see in your life?   Is it a frame that truly reflects who you are and what you do?   Or is it a frame that confines you, limiting your faith and potential? 

If your frame imposes limitations, it’s often shaped by the world’s standards—a perspective that seeks superficial achievements and fleeting self-worth.  However, the Lord’s frame is entirely different. He sees beyond the surface, into the depths of your heart and soul. He values every thought, action, and intention, even the smallest ones. In His frame, you are not defined by worldly measures but by His grace and love. 

You are a treasure created in the image of God. Through His eyes, your life holds infinite value, and His frame reveals the true beauty and potential within you. 

As we step into this brand-new year, let us embrace the right frame for our spiritual journey. May our perspective be guided by faith, hope, and love in Christ, allowing us to see ourselves and others through the lens of God’s grace and purpose. 

 The True Forgiver  

Psalm 139: 3-5 “You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me.”  

Last week, my brother and I had a long conversation on Zoom. We hadn’t spoken since the beginning of the year, so it was wonderful to catch up, thanks to the marvels of modern technology! In fact, we hadn’t had a meaningful, extended talk like this in several years.  

During our conversation, I realized that something had been weighing heavily on my brother for a long time—a burden he had been carrying in his heart. It was about my relationship with our family in Korea. He had wanted to bring it up before but avoided doing so, not wanting to stir conflict. Instead, it lingered in his heart for years.  He expressed that he had felt a sense of responsibility and obligation to the family since he was there, while I was not. 

At first, his words stung, and I felt offended. But as I listened, I understood where he was coming from. I sincerely apologized for my ignorance and insensitivity to his feelings and the load he had been carrying. My brother, being the kind and humble person he is, accepted my apology, and we reconciled.  

However, after our conversation, I realized that a single apology might not fully address the hurt caused. True forgiveness often takes time and sincerity. To genuinely seek forgiveness from someone, we must: 

 • Allow ourselves to feel the pain of what the other person has lost and endured.   • Reflect on the steps that led to their sorrow.  • Try to grasp the depth of their suffering.  When we take these steps, our request for forgiveness becomes more authentic.  

But can we truly feel the same level of pain the other person has experienced?  Can we fully comprehend the years of agony they may have endured emotionally, physically, or psychologically? 

 Can we find someone who has gone through exactly what we have, so they can truly understand our side of the story?  

The answer to these questions is often no. 

That’s why we must turn to the Lord.  Our Lord knows us better than anyone else ever could. He understands our hearts, our motives, and our struggles—far beyond what even we can comprehend. Jesus has known us not just for a moment, but since before we were born. He is the only one who can see us entirely and deeply understand why we did what we did.  

This is why we need to meet with Him daily, sharing our hearts and confessing our experiences. Jesus is our true forgiver, comforter, and Savior. And when He, who knows us fully, says, “You are forgiven,” we can find peace and restoration.  

Key Prayer    

1 Tim. 2:1 "First of all, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people."  

 I parked my car in a public lot in Mason and walked to a nearby bakery. As I glanced down, I noticed a keychain resting on the structure that separated the pedestrian walkway from the driveway. It was nestled among the plants and bushes, making it barely visible. It was clear that someone had lost it.  

Picking up the keys, I looked around to see if anyone was searching for them. Just then, a couple with an infant walked toward me, scanning the pavement anxiously. The wife rummaged through her bag while holding the baby, her frustration growing with every empty search.  I was certain the keys belonged to them. Holding them up, I asked, “Are these yours?”  Their relief was immediate. They had feared the worst, unsure of what they would do without them—one of the keys was for their rental car, and they were on their way to the airport. The husband grasped my hands, thanking me repeatedly. “You saved my life today,” he said. “I’ve never been more grateful to see my keys.”  

Afterward, in the bakery, I pulled out my own keys from my backpack and made sure they were all accounted for. As I sipped my coffee, I realized how significant each one was.  

• My car key—essential for my daily travels. I prayed, “Thank you for providing me with this car and for keeping me safe on the road.” • The key to Susan’s mother’s house—I prayed for her health.  • The key to my home in LA—I prayed for my family who lives there. • The key to my current place—I prayed for safety and comfort in my home.  

An old Korean saying came to mind: “The darkest spot is right under the lamp.” It means that what we seek is often right next to us, yet we fail to notice it.  

Keys are designed to secure what is valuable, yet we rarely pay attention to them because they are always with us. Perhaps, instead of overlooking them, we can let them serve as reminders—reminders to pray for the people and places they connect us to. 

 So today, let’s take a moment to look at our keys. Let’s not miss the opportunity to pray for those they represent.  

When wind rises up...  

Psalm 78:26  "He causes the east wind to blow in the heavens and by his power he directs the south wind." 

 Last week, a snowstorm swept across the Midwest, bringing heavy snow and powerful gusts of wind that battered trees and crops. It had been a long time since I experienced weather like that. On TV, I saw scenes of fallen trees and blizzards overwhelming homes. Watching the destruction, I began to wonder: how do tall, strong trees endure such harsh conditions? Wouldn’t the powerful winds and snow eventually weaken their roots and branches, halting their growth?  

The following day, I gained a new perspective that surprised me. While listening to a radio program, a gardener shared an insightful lesson about trees. Every tree needs three essential elements to grow: water, sunlight, and something unexpected—wind.  When the wind blows, it shakes the roots of the tree, which actually strengthens it by helping the roots absorb more nutrients and water from the soil. Trees that grow with wind are healthier and more resilient than those shielded from it.  

Hearing this, I began to see a deeper spiritual truth. Just as trees need wind to grow, God often allows challenging and unfavorable events in our lives for a purpose. These moments shake us, stirring our understanding of His word and aligning it with where it’s most needed. 

Difficult seasons strip away distractions and help us focus on what God is saying to us.  It may feel like hardships slow us down in our walk with God, but over time, they deepen our faith and draw us closer to Him.

Difficult seasons strip away distractions and help us focus on what God is saying to us.  It may feel like hardships slow us down in our walk with God, but over time, they deepen our faith and draw us closer to Him.

Does the wind seem to be rustling through your life right now? Perhaps this is the moment God is using to strengthen your faith and raise you up.  

Mind the Gap

Psalm 29:4 “The voice of the Lord is powerful; The voice of the Lord is full of majesty.”  

A subway station employee in England noticed a woman frequently visiting Embankment Station. She would sit quietly in the same spot for hours, never boarding a train, and then leave. 

One day, she approached the employee and mentioned that she no longer heard the familiar audible warning, "Mind the gap." The employee explained that the old announcement had been replaced with a new digital voice after many years.  

The woman, Margaret McCollum, paused for a moment before sharing her story. Margaret, 67 years old, had met her husband, Oswald Laurence, 44 years ago at this station. Oswald, a theater actor with a beautiful voice, had recorded the original "Mind the gap" announcement. He passed away in 2007, and since then, Margaret had often visited the station to hear his voice, feeling his presence each time the announcement played. She asked if there was any way she could hear her husband’s voice again.  The employee shared Margaret's story with the Northern Line Company, and in response, the railway company decided to restore Oswald's voice at Embankment Station. They also provided Margaret with a digital copy of the recording, allowing her to hear her husband's voice whenever she wanted.  

The story of Margaret reminds us that we should often pause ourselves and listen to the Lord. Amid our busy schedules, we are called to create quiet moments to feel Christ’s presence around and within us.   

While we cannot hear the Lord’s audible voice as people once did, we have his spiritual recording" preserved in the Scriptures. This voice becomes accessible only to those who truly seek and love him.  

 By patiently waiting for him in the stillness of life, we open ourselves to experiencing his presence and knowing that he is with us.  

Prayer of Emptiness  

 Phi 2:7,8 “But emptied himself, taking the form of a slave…therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name.”  

A few weeks ago, my wife and kids were on a flight to Los Angeles. Susan, my wife, was sitting right behind the boys, and next to her were an elderly couple. She struck up a conversation with them, and the wife mentioned that they take a trip around the world once a year. They were originally from Iceland and had traveled extensively. They had just spent a few weeks in New York and were now heading to England for their next stop.   

Curious, Susan asked the wife, “You must have learned so much and brought back so many souvenirs from your travels, right?” But the wife’s response was unexpected. She said they didn’t travel to learn or collect things. Instead, the purpose of their journey was to empty their hearts. As they visited new places, they let go of negative thoughts, anxieties, and hatred. By the end of their trip, they returned home with a peaceful mind and a sense of true emptiness—free from burdens and filled with inexplicable peace.  

This made me think: Shouldn’t our prayers be like that? Shouldn’t we approach God with the goal of emptying our hearts?   Often, when we pray or spend quiet time with God, we’re eager to hear His response or see a miraculous sign in our lives. We want Him to solve our problems or give us clear answers. And when it feels like God is silent or not answering, we get frustrated. We might even wonder if He’s listening at all.   But here’s the thing: Is God really silent, or are we just too full of ourselves to hear Him?   Expecting good things from God is important, but first, we need to empty ourselves—our worries, stubbornness, self-reliance, and pride. When we let go of these things, we become humble and moldable. Only then can God refill us with His peace, His Spirit, and His hope.   So, let’s start by emptying our hearts. When we do, God will fill us with His inexplicable peace  

Restore Your Original Color 

1 Peter 4:10 “ Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.  

I wear an old pair of shoes, a gift from my sister long ago. Their soles, once strong, now whisper with wear, edges scuffed, creases deep, telling stories only time knows. The leather, kissed by wind and rain, has lost its glow. And weary laces fray like memories unraveling in the air. 

And yet, these shoes remain my dearest treasure. It was a gift from my sister, who toiled for weeks, 

two decades past, with love beyond measure, her kindness woven in each thread and crease. I feel her warmth with every step.  

So I took them to a craftsman’s care, hoping he could breathe new life into their faded form. 

Two weeks passed, and I returned—And there, before me, stood a miracle. No longer tired, no longer worn, but shining, as if time had reversed its course. Astonished, I said, “You have made them new!” 

But with a quiet smile, he replied, “I did not make them new; I merely restored their color.” 

His words echoed within me, like the voice of Paul long ago—A truth not of leather and thread, but of the soul and the gifts God bestows. For within each of us, a treasure lies, a grace already given, a light already placed. Love, kindness, endurance, and truth—Not things to earn, nor prizes to chase, but jewels already set within the heart. 

But God does not ask for something new, nor does He call us to become another. He whispers instead, “Come back to yourself, To the one I crafted with care, To the gifts I have already placed within you.” 

Not a new creation, but a restoration—Not a different hue, but the true color beneath. 

So let the dust be lifted, let the light shine, And step forward, not as someone else, 

But as the masterpiece you were always meant to be. In this, you will feel the warmth of Divine love, the gentle hands that formed you, the heart that cherishes you still.