I know some folks reading my blog don’t live their lives according to principles of faith found in Jesus. Note that today is a tidbit from the testimony of my friend Paek. While I don’t necessarily encourage observing other humans as a good example of what God’s like (since we all still mess up…) its also highly important to look at others and see how God’s helped, taught, or redeemed them. Ironic, isn’t it? 

‘I’m reading the stories of the history of the world and the true creator god that I always wondered about but didn’t know how to find.’ 

My friend (and staff) Paek is 27. He’s adorable with sort of tussled hair. His dad is an elder at the temple, but his older sister and multiple cousins have faith in the Creator. He’s heard about God for years – he’s seen prayer heal family members, provide in times of need, bring relatives out of alcoholism, and change lives. 

But Paek is a cool guy. He plays soccer. He drinks with his buddies on weekends, and he’s admired on the village volleyball court.

4 months ago he had a dream that God was asking him why he was ignoring him. And it made sense to him – he’d wondered about this faith that didn’t require trips to the Wat (temple), and actually changed the way people act, not just the way they were on holy days or when elders came, but in everyday life. He greatly admired it and even desired it. To be less jealous, less angry, less futility in always striving, less insecure like he saw in others that followed after the Jesus of the Bible. 

4 months ago was about when a small group of folks from our village decided they would start going to church in the city in the morning and bring ideas back to our village church that meets in the afternoon. His neighbor, cousin, and sister were among that group and they invited him. 

He said that the very first day, he wanted to know whatever this Jesus had to offer. He said his heart pounded during songs, and that he saw his problems and shortcomings so clearly in light of others that voiced the same things he struggled with. 

Now he goes every week, and attends our village church too. He has told his parents he believes and has brought his younger sister to faith, but is working up the courage to tell friends. Last week when I talked to him he said he reads every night before he goes to bed and every morning when he opens the family coffee shop and is waiting for water to boil. He’s in chapter 32 of Genesis, and says every time he reads he gets an overwhelming feeling inside of awe almost to the point of tears.

For all of our faults, sins, and differences, a lot of us have a story kind of like this. I love that.