Day 17 – Hanbi Ko
1. What do you do for a living? (occupation/field of study)
I’m an industrial designer currently working at a design studio/agency in the city. I live in the Upper East Side having moved to New York from California about over a year ago during the pandemic.
2. How do you like to spend your free time?
I love documenting my memories—whether that is through journaling, getting inventive with preparing meals for myself, or simply walking and observing people on the street. I enjoy discovering new hidden places and absorbing all the experiences a place has to offer.
3. Share one interesting fact about you that most people don’t know!
I always loved the fact that my Korean name is my only name! Ko means ‘high’, Han means ‘land’, and Bi means ‘queen’. My dad gave me the name while thinking of Queen Esther, whom God chose to reveal His faithfulness and save His people through her obedience and bravery.
4. Do you have a favorite book in the Bible? If you do, which one is it and why?
Romans. I used to be so gripped by fear and worry, but reading this book through various seasons of my life broke those chains of uncertainty and doubt. It’s a book where every line is underlined because it contains so much gospel truth and power that it's overwhelming at times. Romans reminds me nothing in this world can separate me from the love of Jesus Christ and gives me confidence in my identity as His heir to hope in God and walk in faith daily.
5. Is there a verse/passage in the Bible that has significantly impacted your life? If so, which is it and why?
Psalm 23
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
This chapter has been so crucial to my life. I often felt alone and lonely in my changing circumstances, and in those desperate moments I would recite this chapter outloud over and over again. My joy and peace is not dependent on life’s situations or people’s opinions but on the fact that the Lord is MY shepherd. No matter where I go, God SEES me and is WITH me and it reminds me that there is no greater want in my life than to dwell in His presence forever.
6. Is there a prayer request that has been on your heart recently? If so, please share with us.
To deepen my prayer life, to see like Jesus sees the world and love like He does. To connect my faith to the workplace in a way that glorifies God. For God to use Grace Church to raise up the next generation of genuine believers.
7. Tell us about how you met Christ? (feel free to share a brief testimony)
Growing up, I had an eye for all things beautiful and I think I knew deep in my heart all these things existed because there was a Creator. But it wasn’t until a night in 5th grade retreat where we sang ‘Beautiful One’ by Jeremy Camp that my eyes were revealed to the tangible beauty and truth of Jesus. Even though I was so young, I just remember leaving that room feeling like nothing else would ever compare to the beauty of the work of Jesus Christ. Having said that, growing up in the church with my dad also being a pastor, it often felt like a given that I would come to faith. I often struggled with the fact that my story was unimportant or even boring compared to others. But now that I look back, it’s a miracle that the faith of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, my grandparents, and my parents became mine. No matter how our story to faith may have looked like, what a privilege and joy it is to simply know Christ– to love Him who loves us unconditionally, to trust him who is faithful, good, and beautiful til the end!