Day 29 - Chaerin Kim

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

Acts 20:24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself. If only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

I have been reading the Book of Acts for this Lent season, and I was inspired to see Apostle Paul wholly dedicate his life to the Kingdom of God— even to the point of death! Witnessing Paul consistently pray, worship, and encourage God's people despite his circumstances humbled me as I reflected on my life. Even in imprisonment, Paul “prays and sings hymns to God" (Acts 16:25). Wherever he journeys, Paul "strengthens all the disciples" (Acts 18:22) he encounters. And even in deciding when and where to preach the gospel, Paul obeys the Holy Spirit (Acts 16:6-7). Living a life of surrender does not only mean giving up Sundays. It means centering my life around God in all situations. I hope and pray that, during this Lent season, God will help me surrender my whole life to Him.

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

I find it difficult to surrender my comfort and peace to God. In this chapter of my life, I have been blessed to have a secure job, a healthy family, a loving significant other, and good friends. However, I realized that the comfort I had over the past year has become an idol that I've been clinging to unconsciously. It leads me to avoid situations where I would have to get out of my comfort zone, often at the sacrifice of representing Christ. For example, attending Wednesday Night Prayer or conversing with newcomers at church became chores rather than joyous opportunities to love a fellow brother or sister. I say that I love and follow Christ, but my actions reveal that I love Christ only when it is convenient for me. This year's theme of "Less of Me and More of Him'' reminds me to take up my cross and follow Jesus with all my heart in situations of comfort or discomfort.

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

I have been trying to pray more during this Lent season, both with our church community and on my own. Usually, my prayers would revolve around my personal desires and expectations for a peaceful future, and those prayers would turn into a self-centered list of things I wanted. However, I recently started my prayers with "Holy Spirit, lead me to pray the prayers God desires." In doing so, I noticed that my prayers have been changing as I give more thanksgiving to the Lord, pray for my non-believing family members, lift up our struggling church members, and truly ask to be led by Him in all my life decisions.

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

I want to be more considerate and understanding of the people around me. Philippians 2:4 says, "Let each of you look not only to his interests, but also to the interests of others." As I strive to focus on God, I know He will give me His compassionate heart to love others and pray for them more!