“Happiness” (1 John 3:23-24)

 

What Makes a Good Life?

In 1938, researchers at Harvard Medical School began a remarkable study. They followed 268 people through their entire adult lives, asking them year after year about their lifestyles, habits, relationships, work, and happiness. Recently, psychiatry professor Robert Waldinger shared the results in his TED Talk, “What Makes a Good Life? Lessons from the Longest Study on Happiness.” Here are some of the lessons: 

1.    Don’t smoke.

2.    Don’t abuse alcohol.  

3.    Maintain healthy habits.  

4.    Stay physically active.

5.    Face problems honestly.

6.    Keep learning.

7.    And most importantly: build strong, lasting relationships.

 

That is all good advice. But if the Apostle John were giving a TED Talk today, he would go even deeper. He would say, “True joy comes from fellowship with God.” In his first letter, John gives us three simple words: Turn, Abide, Love. TAL. That is the pathway to a joyful life.

 

Turn

First, turn. John says, “If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1:9) The beginning of joy is to stop pretending. Come into the light. Turn toward God. The word repent literally means “turn around.” Martin Luther once said that whole Christian life is repentance – turning back to God again and again.

 

As I learned guitar, one thing I learned quickly is this: Before you play, you must tune. Turning to God is like tuning your life to God. Every morning, as we step into the water or wash our face, we can pray this very simple prayer: “Good morning, God. I turn to you. Wash me and cleanse me.” That is where joy begins.

 

Abide

Second, abide. John says, “Little children, abide in him…” (2:28) When John wrote this, he probably remembered the words of Jesus: “I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)

 

This morning I brought two things: a “pussy willow” branch and a “weeping willow” plant. Both are beautiful. But only one is alive. The weeping willow is still connected to water and soil. The pussy willow branch is cut off. Today they may both look fine. But think about ten years from now. Thirty years from now. One will dry up. The other will grow, flourish, and give shade to others. That is the difference connection makes. Abiding in Christ means staying connected to him – receiving life from him, his love, his word, his presence. The secret of Christian joy is not striving, but remaining. Happiness grows where Christ is not a weekend visitor but a daily companion.

 

Love

Third, love. John says, “We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us--and we ought to lay down our lives for one another.” (3:16) True happiness is not found in consumption. It is found in self-giving love. John continues, “If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion - how can God's love be in that person? Dear children, let's not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.” (3:17-18, NLT)

 

God’s love does. It sacrifices. It gives. It serves. And because we are loved by Christ, we are called to love our neighbor. Then, who is our neighbor? “Everyone.” Especially those who are different. Those who are difficult. Even those who oppose us. In this polarized world, we Christians are called to love across divisions. If you are conservative, listen with compassion to progressive neighbors. If you are progressive, seek to understand conservative neighbors. Why? Because every person is someone deeply loved by God, made in the image of God.

 

The Holy Spirit

Turn. Abide. Love. TAL. But here is the truth: we cannot do this by sheer effort alone. We need the Holy Spirit, who makes the life of God real and alive in us. That is why John said this: “And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us.” (3:24)

 

John Wesley understood this well. Wesley was disciplined, moral, and hardworking. He fasted, preached, and even came to America as a missionary. But inwardly, he lacked assurance and peace. He didn’t pretend. He admitted it honestly. Then comes May 24, 1738, on Aldersgate Street. During a worship service, Wesley felt his heart strangely warmed by the grace of Christ through the Holy Spirit. After that, everything changed. He preached with joy and power. He loved people others ignored: miners, prisoners, the poor, children. It is said that Wesley rode about 250,000 miles on horseback during his ministry. He preached more than 40,000 sermons, often several times a day, into his last 80s. His life motto was: “The world is my parish.” Why? Because the Holy Spirit filled his life with living joy.

 

The same Spirit is still at work today. The Holy Spirit helps us to turn from sin, abide in Christ, and love like Jesus. Pentecost is not only a historical event to remember. It is an invitation to receive. Have you received the Holy Spirit? Many people today are searching for happiness. John tells us: the joyful life is the Spirit-filled life. So today, with open hearts and open hands, let us welcome the Holy Spirit and say, “Come, Holy Spirit.” May the Holy Spirit turn us into the light, keep us close to Christ, and fill us with love. Amen.

 

“Jesus Our Servant” (1 Peter 2:19-25)

 

*"Mocking of Christ" by Fra Angelico (1440) 

Facing the Giants
Watchman Nee, a faithful church leader in China, suffered from many serious illnesses, including a chronic stomach disorder and heart disease. Every day, he prayed for healing. One night, he had a dream. In the dream, he was crossing a river by boat when suddenly, a huge rock appeared and blocked his way. He prayed, “Lord, please remove this rock!” Then he heard a voice saying, “My beloved son, do you want me to take away the rock, or raise the water so you can pass over it?” He thought for a moment and answered, “Lord, please raise the water.” For the rest of his life, he was never fully healed. Yet day by day, he discovered that grace was always greater, and God continued to carry him through.

Called to Suffering
Today many of us are facing giants. We carry difficult questions:

If God is good, why is there so many suffering?

If God is good, why is there so many injustice?

If God is good, why does healing not come?

In today’s scripture, Peter exhorts his fellow believers to endure suffering unjustly. He knew the Roman government was corrupt. He knew relationships (ex. husband-wife relationship) were often unequal and broken. He knew slavery was unjust. But still, Peter said, “You were called to suffering” – not because suffering itself is good, and not because God delights in pain, but because God can use even suffering for his purpose and for the salvation of others. Then, Peter gives us three reasons why we Christians can endure suffering faithfully.

Christ Suffered for You
First, we are called to endure suffering because Christ suffered for us. Peter says, “Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.” (2:21) We often think about incarnation (“God became human”) as a warm and beautiful image. And it is beautiful. But we should remember: the incarnation was an act of humiliation and suffering, and even violence. When God came to us in Jesus Christ, he humbled himself. He emptied himself. He laid aside the privileges of heaven. He entered our broken world. He became poor, rejected, misunderstood, and vulnerable. The king of heaven became the servant (slave) of all.

Psalm 69, our call to worship today, is Jesus’ prayer – his own diary during his suffering, especially on the cross. He said something like this:

· “Save me, God, because the waters have reached my neck! (1)
· “More numerous than the hairs on my head are those who hate me for no reason.” (4)
· “I am insulted because of you. Shame covers my face.” (7)
· “I hoped for sympathy, but there wasn’t any, I hoped for comforters, but couldn’t find any. They gave me poison for food. To quench my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.” (20-21)

After World War II, a German pastor and playwright named Günter Rutenborn wrote a famous play called The Sign of Jonah. The whole play wrestles with one haunting question: Who is to blame? After the horrors of the Holocaust and the war, everyone tried to defend themselves. The soldier said, “I only followed orders.” The citizen said, “I stayed silent.” Others blamed leaders, systems, or history itself. And finally, in the play, the crowd cries out: “Yes, we are guilty, but God is most to blame. Put God on trial.” And the shocking sentence given to God is this: “God must become human. God must enter suffering himself. God must be stripped of rights, rejected, homeless, thirsty, and condemned.”

The irony, of course, is that this is exactly what God already did in Jesus Christ. Jesus did not come to blame us. He came to bear our blame. He took the hit. He entered our violence, our injustice, our sin, and our shame. Christ suffered for us.

Christ Empowers You
Second, we are called to endure suffering today because Christ empowers us. Peter exhorts this way: “He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed. Once you were like sheep who wandered away. But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls.” (2:24-25, NLT) In other words, because of Christ’s atoning, finished work on the cross, now we have freedom for a new life by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Pastor Yang-won Son from Korea gives us a powerful example of this Christ-shaped, Spirit-empowered life. In 1948, during political violence in Korea, Pastor Son’s two sons were killed by Communists because of their Christian faith. Later, a young man named Chai-sun was identified as one of the killers and was sentenced to death. But Pastor Son did something astonishing. He went to the court and asked for the young man to be forgiven and released into his care. He even adopted him as his own son.

Why? Because Pastor Son believed the gospel is not only about receiving forgiveness from Jesus, but also about becoming like Jesus, suffering like him. Humanly speaking, that kind of forgiveness is impossible. But Christ empowers us for a new life. “By his wounds you are healed.” Jesus not only forgives us; he changes us. He gives us strength to love, forgive, and live differently.

Christ Will Restore You
Third, we are called to endure suffering for a little while because Christ will restore us in his time. In his letter Peter comforts and encourages his fellow believers going through unjust suffering and struggling with unanswered prayers. At the end of his letter Peter said, “After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace will himself restore, empower, strengthen, and establish you.” (5:10, CEB) Be encouraged. God will make all things right.

One movie that beautifully captures this hope is Greater. The film tells the true story of Brandon Burlsworth, a Christian football player whose life ended suddenly in a car accident just as his dream was coming true. His older brother is overwhelmed with grief and anger. He cannot understand why God would allow such a tragedy. Throughout the movie, he wrestles deeply with suffering. But by the end of the movie, he begins to see a greater and eternal perspective. At the funeral, these words are spoken: “Our loss is great, but God is greater.” That does not ease the sorrow. But it gives hope.

Conclusion
Today our suffering is real. And many of our questions remain unanswered. But in the meantime, even in hardship, we Christians are called to serve others, to go the second mile, to endure injustice without demanding our rights. Why? Because Christ suffered for us. Because Christ empowers us. And because Christ will restore and vindicate us at last. There is purpose. There are answers. Thanks be to God.

“Thursdays with Kwan: Three Lessons I Learned”

Introduction
Some of you may have read the well-known book, “Tuesdays with Morrie.” It’s a memoir by Mitch Albom about his weekly visits with his mentor, Morrie Schwartz, who was dying from ALS. During these final meetings, Morrie shared lessons about life.

For me, it became “Thursdays with Kwan.” Over the past four years, I thoroughly enjoyed visiting Pastor Kwan and spending time with him. Every visit gave me something to carry home – something to think about, something to pray about. As I reflected on those Thursdays together, I realized that Pastor Kwan kept pointing me back to these three things: faith, hope, and love.

Faith
First, Kwan was a man of faith. Yes, he was a loving husband and father. He was a beloved pastor. But most of all, he was a faithful follower of Christ. And he fully depended on the Holy Spirit. Kwan was a good storyteller. Every time I visited him, I never knew where the conversation would go. Sometimes he talked about his childhood and family. Sometimes about his military life as a chaplain. Sometimes about his ministry (especially his years here in Houlton). Sometimes his simply reflected on daily life. But after sharing those stories, he would often say something like this: “I thought I did all those things. But looking back now, I realize it was the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit connected the right people at the right time. The Holy Spirit opened the door. The Holy Spirit gave me the message.”

Because he became more aware of the Holy Spirit’s presence, he also gave others the ministry of presence. Sometimes Kwan and I didn’t say very much. We simply watched TV together – football, Red Sox games, NBA games, etc. One day he told me: “At first, I didn’t understand football. But, I learned it so I could connect with my parishioners.” I could feel his shepherd’s heart. Through him, I learned being is more important than doing. And I was reminded that the greatest gift God gives is not simply solutions to our problems, but His presence. God gave us himself. “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” Emmanuel. God with us.

Hope
Second, Kwan was a man of hope. He often said, “I am ready to die.” He was ready. And because he learned how to die, he also learned how to truly live. He embraced aging. He embraced mortality and frailty. He embraced dependence. And because of that, he lived more intentionally and more compassionately. Almost until the very end, as long as he could, he still got up at 3 am. He spent time in prayer. He kept his exercise routine. He started each day with an open heart as a clean vessel before God.

Because the reality of death was so clear to him, he focused on what truly matters. Many times, I shared concerns with him — concerns about ministry, concerns about the world. And yet he remained hopeful. Not because he ignored problems or denied reality, but because his eyes stayed fixed on what was good, essential, and eternal. He was a realistic optimist.

He knew that power, control, ambition, and money all come and go. But relationships remain. So he made every effort to stand before God with a clear conscience. One day he spoke about a Korean colleague who had deeply hurt him and damaged his reputation. I asked him, “How did you respond?” He quietly said, “It was not easy. But by God’s grace, I just kept hanging in there.” He admitted he was still in the process of forgiving. But he wanted to be ready. He wanted to be at peace with everyone, as much as possible. And he could do that because he had hope — the hope of the resurrection.

Love
Third, Kwan was a man of love. About six years ago, he went through a life-changing experience. He suffered a major heart attack and had to undergo quadruple bypass surgery. That night, alone in a quiet hospital room, he prayed. As he cried out to God, a gentle voice said to him, "What is a Christian?" Startled, he answered, "I have been a pastor all my life. I’ve preached, taught, baptized, and led people to Christ." The voice gently responded, "You taught people about Christianity. But what is a Christian?" I tried again, this time listing doctrines and disciplines. But the voice repeated the question: "What is a Christian?" Finally, the answer came not from himself, but from the voice: "A Christian is someone who loves like Christ."

That truth pierced his soul. He grew up in a very conservative environment and cared deeply about theological correctness. But that night, he realized how often he had judged others more than loved them. He came to understand that being loving is more important than being right. He realized that Christ alone is the Judge. Our calling is to love like Him. Since then, he developed daily rhythms of grace. Each morning, he prayed, "Lord, help me not to hurt anyone today—not through my words, actions, or silence." And each night before bed, he repented, "Lord, if I have hurt anyone, knowingly or unknowingly, please forgive me." We are all part of Christ's eternal family. Our Christian fellowship is not just for this life. Love never ends.

Flourishing
On December 19, thanks to Susan, my family and I learned that Kwan was nearing his heavenly home. So our entire family went to visit him. We sang Christmas carols together. Before leaving, we said to him, “I love you. Thank you for being among us.” And we prayed, “Father, into your hands we commend his spirit.” I held his hand and said, “Moksanim, see you soon. See you again.” We looked at each other for a long moment. Then he nodded, with a bright smile. Then a couple of days later, he went home to glory.

Psalm 92 tells us what a flourishing life looks like:

“In old age they still produce fruit;

they are always green and full of sap,

declaring that the Lord is just;

he is my rock, and there is no evil in him.”

Through his life, Kwan showed us the God of faith, hope, and love. So today, we praise God, and we give thanks to God for the life of Pastor Kwan. Thanks be to God. Amen.

“What Is a Flourishing Life?” (James 1:2–12)

Tree and Woodpeckers
Have you ever asked, “Why did God make woodpeckers?”

The other day, while taking a nature walk, I noticed several trees damaged by woodpeckers. Some even looked as if they were dying. Holes everywhere. Bark torn apart. And I wondered, “Lord, why did you make woodpeckers? Why allow them to damage trees like this?”

Later, I did some research, and I was surprised by what I discovered. Woodpeckers are not simply destroyers of trees. In many ways, they are actually helpers of the forest.

You see, woodpeckers often peck at trees because harmful insects are hiding underneath the bark. Beetles, ants, larvae, and parasites slowly eat away at the inside of the tree. From the outside, the tree may still look healthy, but inside, decay has already begun. And the woodpecker exposes the hidden problem.

Not only that, the holes woodpeckers create later become homes for other creatures — bluebirds, owls, squirrels, and many others. What first looked like damage actually becomes a place of life and shelter for others.

Consider, Know, Let
There are seasons when God allows trials, hardships, disappointments, or painful interruptions in our lives. In the moment, it can feel like pecking. Uncomfortable. Disruptive. Painful. And we ask, “Lord, why is this happening?”

But sometimes God uses trials the way woodpeckers work on trees. God exposes what is hidden deep underneath — pride, self-reliance, bitterness, shallow faith, unhealthy attachments. Things we may never notice when life is going well. Trials reveal. Trials refine. Trials strengthen.

That is why James writes to believers facing suffering:

“My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. So let it grow…so that you may be mature, complete, and lacking in nothing.” (1:2-4)

James is not saying trials are pleasant. He is saying trials have purpose. God can use even painful experiences to produce perseverance, maturity, deeper faith, and spiritual flourishing.

Tree and Chaff

So how do we become mature? Through trials. In fact, we may even say that trials are the pathway to maturity. In Psalm 1, we see two ways of life — the way of the righteous and the way of the wicked. The wicked are described as “chaff.” On the outside, chaff looks free. It goes wherever the wind blows. It follows no direction but its own. But in reality, it is rootless, swayed and tossed by the waves of the world.

But the righteous are described as a “tree” planted by streams of water. Notice – the tree does not plant itself. It is being planted by the gardener. It stays rooted. It endures seasons. It withstands storms. Sometimes it is pecked by woodpeckers. But in time, it bears fruit. Trials are not pleasant, but they are necessary for spiritual growth.

One of my mentors, John Stott, once said:

“Be ready to accept humiliations. They can hurt terribly, but they help you to be humble.” He continues: “All these can be so many chances to be a little nearer to our humble and crucified Lord.”[1]

Maturity and Wisdom
Through trials and humiliations, we become mature. In James’ letter, the path to maturity and the path to wisdom are really the same path. James describes maturity this way: being complete and whole, lacking in nothing in our relationship with God.

Then he says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, ask God.” So, what is wisdom? Proverbs 9:10 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” Biblical wisdom is not simply knowledge. Wisdom is knowing who God is and learning to depend on Him. The more mature we become, the less self-reliant we are. The wiser we become, the more we learn to depend on God.

Let me share an example. In the film Driving Miss Daisy, Miss Daisy is a stubborn elderly widow who insists she does not need anyone’s help. After a car accident, her son hires a driver named Hoke. At first, she resists him strongly. She says, “I don’t need you, I don’t want you, I don’t like you!” But over the years, their relationship deepens into friendship. Toward the end of the film, Miss Daisy is elderly and weak. Sitting in a nursing home, she struggles even to lift a fork. Hoke gently cuts her pie and feeds her. At the beginning, she refused dependence. At the end, she accepted it. And in many ways, that is the journey of the Christian life. The way to maturity, the way to wisdom, is to learn dependence on God.

For me, I am currently learning to depend on God through difficult relationships and seasons of uncertainty. There are two people I dearly love. But they do not get along with each other, and at times I feel caught in the middle. I do not know what to do. I do not see easy answers. I do not see any clear hope ahead. It brings ongoing pain and deep sorrow to my heart. But because of that pain, I find myself running to God early in the morning to pray.

I am also learning to depend on God through this new appointment and transition. When I received the call, I was shocked. So many emotions flooded my heart. And even now, I still carry questions: “What if I am not the right fit?” “What if I fail?” “What if the remaining churches struggle?” Those burdens drive me to my knees every day. Yes, we all pray. But when deep trials come, we realize that quick mealtime prayers are not enough. In seasons of heartache and uncertainty, we begin to seek God more fervently. We set aside time. We humble ourselves. We cry out to God more honestly. Through trials, we learn to depend on God. And that is the path to maturity and wisdom.

Tried and True
One of the most beloved hymns of the church, 'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus, was born through trials.[2]

One summer day, Louisa M. R. Stead, her husband George, and their young daughter Lily were enjoying a picnic by the ocean at Long Island Sound. Then suddenly, they heard cries for help. A young boy was struggling in the water. Without hesitation, George rushed into the waves to save him. But tragically, both the boy and George drowned, while Louisa and little Lily watched helplessly from the shore. In a single moment, Louisa lost her husband. Lily lost her father. Their world was shattered.

But in the middle of tremendous grief and trial, Louisa learned to depend on God in a deeper way. Out of that painful season came these words:

“‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,

Just to take Him at His word…”

And later:

“I’m so glad I learned to trust Him,
Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend
And I know that He is with me,
Will be with me to the end.”

That hymn was not written from a comfortable life. It was written from a “tried and true” faith. James 1:12 says: “Those who stand firm during testing are blessed. They are tried and true. They will receive the life God has promised to those who love him as their reward.” (CEB) Trials, when received faithfully, teach us dependence on God. They deepen our faith. They mature us. Just as woodpeckers help trees become healthy, God can even use trials for our flourishing.

The Flourishing Life
Psalm 92 describes the flourishing life this way: “In old age they still produce fruit; they are always green and full of sap, showing that the LORD is upright; he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.” (vv. 14-15, NRSV)

What a beautiful picture. The road to a flourishing life is not easy. It is long and hard. It’s “a long obedience in the same direction.” But God is with us. God is for us. Our God is faithful and able. So whatever trials come our way, let us embrace them with faith, even with joy. Let us fully depend on God – one trial at a time. And in His time, He will make us mature and complete, and we will flourish for His glory. Amen.

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[1] John Stott, The Radical Disciple (p. 74). InterVarsity Press. Kindle Edition.
[2] Don Campman, “The Story Behind: Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus,” https://hymncharts.com/2023/05/29/the-story-behind-tis-so-sweet-to-trust-in-jesus/