Day 16 - Jina Park

Is there a specific Bible passage or verse that comes to mind in the context of “Less of Me and More of Him”?

Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Matthew 6:33 is my verse of the year. I am ashamed to admit that when I received this Bible verse, I focused solely on the idea that things would be added to ME. I often asked my fellow church members how to seek God’s kingdom and righteousness, hoping to receive good things.

I am thankful for my lovely life group members who advised me to read the whole chapter instead of focusing on that one verse. The passage was about not being anxious. Currently, at 29, I am grappling with the uncertainty that often accompanies the threshold of turning 30. I feel uncertain about my future. However, while reading, I realized I overly focused on obtaining materialistic goods to bolster my self-esteem and neglected what truly mattered. 

I am still in the process of seeking His kingdom and His righteousness, but frankly, I am excited about this journey. When I truly and genuinely seek His kingdom and righteousness, I want to revisit this testimony and reflect on what God has done.

Briefly explain which areas of your life you find most difficult to surrender to Christ.

Honestly, everything, and I struggle with this every day. “Surrendering myself to Christ.” What does it even mean exactly? How do I even surrender myself to Christ?  

The story of the drowning man comes to mind. During a flood, a man prays for God's help. When a neighbor, a rescue team, and a helicopter offer assistance, he refuses, believing God will save him. Sadly, he drowns. Then, in heaven, he learns that God sent help through others, but he didn't recognize it.

I think about this story a lot. I'm always afraid that I might miss His signs. I know in my head that I have to fully surrender myself and trust Him, knowing He has better plans for me. But when things don’t go my way, I throw a tantrum. I get mad at God for not doing what I asked. Even when I surrender myself to Him, it's more of a petty surrender— “Fine. You do you, God, since you aren’t listening to me.”In conclusion, I need a lot of prayer.

Share the areas of your life that have shifted from self-centeredness to Christ-centeredness.

One thing I have been doing is surrounding myself with people who love Christ. I find joy in spending time with my church community, cherishing the genuine love I share with all my fellow church members. Engaging in discussions about the greatness of God and listening to their testimonies of how God has impacted their lives is incredibly uplifting. Moreover, the ability to freely converse with them about any topic without fear of judgment and to receive advice grounded in faith is truly invaluable.

Reflecting on the past, I realize that my former self-centered tendencies would have driven me to seek solace in outings for drinks with friends to alleviate stress. It's remarkable how my response has evolved. Now, I instinctively turn to prayer, asking God to relieve my anxiety, and I find solace in His presence, experiencing a sense of peace.

What are some practical ways you can display Christ to those around you?

For me, something small, like talking about Christ with those around me, is a practical way I can display Him. For example, I often mention I attend church on Sundays when my friends ask me about my weekend plans. 

Attending church in person and engaging in the community are other practical ways to display Christ. I used to believe that as long as I believed in God and participated in online services, I was fulfilling my role as a Christian. However, I now understand the importance of physically being present and immersing oneself in the community.