Week 1 - Ephesus
Task: Take this week to live out the actions and commitments that you first had for Christ.
Myeonghwan Cha
Reflecting on the actions and commitments that I first had for Christ, I remembered moments where I tried to have conversations with others related to faith. There were times, I would do that in a somewhat reckless or awkward way rather than waiting for an “ideal” moment. These days, I find myself to be only waiting for the "right" or "ideal" moment and not initiating anything at all.
But in an attempted effort to live out the actions and commitments that I first had for Christ, I contacted some friends who I knew have not been a part of a church community for some time. Through that, I was able to meet or make plans to meet them to catch up without waiting for a “perfect” moment. Of course, just reaching out is a very small step, but I hope that during my time together with my friends, a stronger relationship can be built and I can ask frequently and plainly: how are you and how is your faith?
Benjamin An
I first fell in love with Christ right before my freshman year of college. Although I was born a Christian, I had not dedicated my life to following Jesus until this period of my life. One thing that I remember vividly about this time was how I actively shared the gospel with non-Christian friends I made in college. They often wondered why I would disappear on weekends, and with a joyful heart, I would tell them that I returned home to serve my church. There was something bright about that time—something pure in my desire to spread the love I had found. But as the months wore on, my friends began to dismiss and tease me for my faith. They slowly wore away the fire that once burned so brightly. The act of sharing the gospel, once so natural, became a source of quiet shame, and my passion for it faded.
This first week of Lent, I had the opportunity to catch up with a few of my friends from college. As we spoke of the past months, my thoughts turned to Bolivia, the mission trip I had gone to only two weeks earlier. Although I did not intend to share my testimony that day, I joyfully spoke of the things God had allowed me to experience. For a few years, I hesitated to talk about my faith with others. However, this Lent season has allowed me to reflect on what I did when I first loved Christ and made me realize that being ashamed of my faith is something that I have to pray about. As this lent season continues, I long to reconnect with my past self and live out the life I once used to as a new Christian.