Undergoing trials 시련을 견디며

 We are undergoing trials every moment. Each of us in different positions is walking on and on while going through trials and challenges for the change and betterment of society.

It is interesting to know that Vincent Van Gogh receives the highest price for his works of art. He was born in 1853 and ended his life by committing suicide at the age of 37 in 1890.

Being an unfortunate and miserable artist as he was, his life was filled with agony and pain. Nevertheless, he dedicated himself to art for 10 years and used higher spectrum colors for his works as in ``The Starry Night.”

Toward the end of his life, he tried to make friends with Paul Gauguin, but they stayed together for two months only. Gogh had one of his ears cut and Gauguin left him. In the end, Gogh committed suicide. What a sad and tragic end he chose!

On the contrary, more and more people appreciate his works of art and even pay the highest price for his masterpiece. People are crowded to take a look at his exhibition.
Something creative, meaningful, and miraculous comes from tension, suffering, trials, and even death. Resurrection was also possible only after being nailed to a cross.

It is a sad reality that Korea has the highest rate of suicide in the world. Recently I met a young man from Saudi Arabia, who visited Korea to write a book on the success stories of three countries. He chose Germany, Japan, and Korea. As he sees, Korea looks like a wonderful example of success among developing countries.

In fact, IT instruments such as smartphones, iPods, overcrowded cars, etc. tell us that we have progressed a lot in many ways. It's true that we are making use of beneficial and convenient instruments more and more. But deep inside, we are losing the spiritual meaning of life and, naturally, we are choosing the culture of death bit by bit.

The culture of death spreads wide in our society. Many high school students suffering from violence, extreme competition, and stress from the burdensome study are choosing death these days. Seniors are also choosing death due to loneliness, isolation, poverty, and incompetency. Longevity is no longer a blessing.

Being conscious of reality as it is, I often meditate on the life of Nick Vujicic, who was born without arms and legs in 1982 in Australia. In spite of his hopeless and desperate situation, his parents didn't give up but educated him like other ordinary children. With the help of his parents, Nick Vujicic has become a motivational speaker and evangelist. He got married last February and he constantly gives a testimony of God's love.

He wanted to commit suicide at the age of 8 but he could overcome all the obstacles by the grace of God. If he had died young, such a miracle would never have happened. He could survive because he found the meaning and purpose of his life.

He is now going throughout the whole world to talk about his spiritual experiences. He always emphasizes not giving up but being grateful for every situation. Like him, we can make impossibilities possible; we can change the situation and make a miracle.

Long ago, I also wanted to commit suicide because I thought I was a failure. At that time, I couldn't enter university immediately after high school, and furthermore, my close friend left me.

I was so sad, painful, and gloomy that I walked along the river bank. I was totally at a loss and couldn't figure out the way to go further. I just wanted to die but couldn't make it because of my lack of courage.

When I slept, I dreamt a dream of falling down into an abyss. Falling down and down, I was surrounded by dead darkness. All around me was pitch dark. Naturally, I became sick and had to get medical treatment for several months.

Then, the light began to shine and enlighten my heart. Little by little, I was healed and I made a great effort to change and renew myself. Since then, many miracles have happened.

All of us go through ups and downs in life. Nobody can avoid the process of trials and initiation. Undergoing trials is the natural way of growing up. Everything changes. As nature and seasons are changing, our skin, blood, bone, face, and heart are changing, growing, and thus becoming wise and mature. Opening our inner eyes, we can witness many miracles and changes happening in each of us.

 The Korea Times/ Thoughts of the Times/ Dec. 21, 2012