Gold Medal

I heard a Beijing Olympic gold medalist speak tonight.

He won the gold medal in one of the most riveting events in the Beijing Games (I still remember watching it on TV and cheering for him and his teammates in the extremely close competition). Before I went to his talk, I had read that he was training for the Olympics while battling a chronic illness. Since I did not know about his illness, I was curious to hear his story.

As the Olympian spoke, we could sense his passion for his sport, and it was great to hear how he overcame his struggle with his illness and how he desired to help others with a similar medical condition.

About halfway through his speech, however, he talked about his favorite philosopher. In his lead-up to it, he mentioned that former President George W. Bush proclaimed in his presidential campaign that his "favorite philosopher was God." Then he looked down, paused for a few seconds, and said "whatever," in a rather mocking fashion.

At the end of the event, he shared with us his gold medal that was the highest honor in his sport, his award for all the hard work he had put in, the years of sacrifice he had made, and for his steller performance.

Having heard how he has strived towards his most important prize and having seen his beautiful medal right in front of my eyes, I wonder to myself: what prize am I pursuing? Am I going after an earthly prize or am I after something eternal? Am I going after the prize - the crown - as vigorously and passionately as he was his prize?

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.

- 1 Corinthians 9: 24-25

Faith, Hope and Love

I had the honor to hear a Holocaust Survivor speak today.

Mr. Walter Kase, now 80 years old, shared with a full house the details of his life in a ghetto and then in multiple concentration camps. He lost his young sister, then 6 years old, in front of his eyes, and suffered all kinds of humiliation and hardships for 5 years before his liberation at the age of 15, weighing 65 pounds.

What struck me the most was not the details of the hardships (however difficult it was just to hear about them), but how calm he was, and how much he talked about faith, hope and love. He admitted that he lost faith at one point, as he saw the inhuman treatment he and others suffered day in and day out. He discussed hope, the hope of leaving the state of agony. However, most of all, he talked about love, in particular his love for his parents and sister. Many times he talked about his family lovingly, and many times his tears rolled down his eyes, leaving the audience deeply moved.

He had no anger, no hatred, despite the hurt he had suffered physically, emotionally and spiritually. He had long forgiven the offenders.

Afterwards, I had the honor to speak with him, shake his hands and give him a hug. He gave me a kiss on the cheek in return.

My colleagues in my office had been celebrating my belated birthday this week (lunch yesterday and cake today). As we celebrated life, it was my privilege to hear a Holocaust Survivor, after suffering so much in his life and seeing so many needless deaths, give this message of faith, hope and love.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 

- 1 Corinthians 13: 13

New Path

The parking lot I use is about 15 to 20 minutes from my office, and I usually walk the same route to and from these two places. While it is not bad at all, the path has become familiar. Last week, however, I accidentally found a new path.

I made a stop to the library after work. After my library trip, instead of staying on the sidewalk I usually took, I cut through the residence hall next to it, thinking it would quickly lead me back to the route I knew.

As I was following this new, and rather winding, path, I became a little uncertain after a minute since I was actually getting farther away from the sidewalk. But instead of turning around, I kept going. Then, after a couple of turns, I saw a large field in which many residents were enjoying the sunny Friday afternoon with a game of soccer, or Frisbee.

How refreshing to see this sea of green for a nice change of scenery! I had never seen the field from the sidewalk because of the many trees in between.

And shortly after, I saw some steps that led me back to the sidewalk.

Sometimes it takes a new path to discover hidden treasures. Day in and day out, we probably pass by many treasures because where we are keeps us from seeing the other side. The Bible study I just finished has further taught me that there is a time to step out of my comfort zone, and to take a new path as God calls us. When we step out in faith in God's timing, leave our familiar surroundings and start walking a new path, there might be uncertainty; but if we keep going, along the way we will experience the fine treasures He has in store for us, treasures we have never known before.

I (Jesus) came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.
- John 10: 10 (The Message)