November 20, 2008 (Nov. 19 at home)
Yesterday we took an express bus to Seoul City Hall, “express” meaning it stopped only 6-8 times in the one hour trip. When we arrived at our destination, we found what we were looking for, the Seoul Art Museum. A new art show began that day.
As we entered the gallery, we could smell flowers. The entrance held several huge arrangements. Inside, each artist had their own small space that held 6-12 pieces of their work, a small table with a chair for them to greet visitors, and flowers. Most were orchids in large vases, dozens in each bouquet and a feast for the eyes and our sense of smell
The paintings were even more impressive, mostly representational art, all excellent in composition and execution. If possible, I would have purchased several to take home; one in particular simply astounded me.
We were also amazed at the traffic on our subway ride home. We had a short trip on one line that we boarded from the basement of the art gallery, but when we went to transfer to the line that goes to the area where we are staying, it was about 5:00 pm. The cars were full, not merely the seating, but people were jammed in standing shoulder to shoulder. We decided to wait for the next train, which turned out to be a good idea. We were able to sit down immediately.
Today, as I read from Deuteronomy 33, I felt the same sense of awe and astonishment as with the sights, sounds and smells of yesterday, only this time about the largeness of God and His care. Verses 26-27 say, “There is no one like the God of Jeshurun, who rides the heavens to help you, and in His excellency on the clouds. The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.”
Our trip yesterday demonstrated the vast size of this city and the number of souls who live in it. This verse reminded me that the same God who takes care of me is also watching over His people here. If statistics are correct, that could mean that here in Seoul, God holds in His everlasting arms the lives of more than three and a half million people who believe in Him. He helps them, cares for them, and knows the number of hairs on each head. These are the people who know and love Him, and these thoughts stagger me.
They shouldn’t. The Bible says much about God caring for His people. Psalm 91:9-11 says: “Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place, no evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; for He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways.”
I’ve no words to express the awe of God that this produces in my heart. It isn’t just that God is my refuge, but that He is the refuge for millions of people. There is no one too small for Him to care for, and no masses of people too large to be covered by His love and held underneath His everlasting arms. How great is the Lord who is my hiding place and protector. How great is the Lord who takes care of everyone who puts their trust in Him.
Showing posts with label South Korea. Show all posts
Showing posts with label South Korea. Show all posts
November 19, 2008
November 13, 2008
Lifting my eyes
November 14, 2008 in Seoul, South Korea
(November 13 at home)
Yesterday was our first full day in this place we have never been before. We had breakfast with our granddaughter, then she went to work and we walked to a very large trade center, the Kintex. The current event was tourism in South Korea and we learned much about this culture and that of many other countries represented here.
After a short rest and a wrestling match to get this computer working, we met with our granddaughter and took a short taxi ride to an outdoor mall. We had a game of Clue in a “Games Café” then supper in a Korean restaurant. The food is a challenge for us, me always trying for balance and my husband on a heart-smart diet. However, we are managing. At least we know what we are eating. However, I now understand why people from this part of the world often do some sort of exercise as soon as they get up in the morning. The beds are very hard, like sleeping on the floor. We are sleeping well, but everything is sore when we wake up. My variation of Tai Chi may look funny, but it and a hot bath do the trick.
We are amazing at two things. One is that after being in South Korea for three months, our granddaughter (who came here to teach English) freely communicates with taxi drivers and restaurant personnel in Korean. I’m amazed at her ability to learn so much of the language so quickly.
One other astonishment is the joy in this place. We have not seen or heard a quarrel or noticed anyone upset or crying. The Korean people are smiling if they are not laughing and are openly affectionate toward their friends.
My Scripture reading this morning is Psalm 123. It says: “Unto You I lift up my eyes, O You who dwell in the heavens. Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters, as the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the LORD our God, until He has mercy on us. Have mercy on us, O LORD, have mercy on us, for we are exceedingly filled with contempt. Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorn of those who are at ease, with the contempt of the proud.”
Today, I cannot relate to the reason for this plea to the Lord to be relieved from the contempt of those who do not believe in Him. South Korea is a strong Christian country and the evidence is everywhere. Many churches are marked by a neon cross high on their rooftops, but more than mere symbols, we are aware of the fruit of the Holy Spirit (love, joy, peace. . .) in the hearts and attitudes of the people, a far cry from contempt.
For example, when we arrived, we took a shuttle bus from the airport to the northeast of Seoul where our granddaughter lives. This trip took nearly an hour. When we arrived at the bus stop in this huge suburb, we felt a bit abandoned. We knew that she lived nearby and our hotel was not far away, but had no idea which direction to go or if anyone could speak English, never mind know and share the location of either.
A young woman from the same shuttle bus ride approached us. With perfect English, she said, “My mother is here to pick me up. We will take you to your hotel.”
We got in her car. Hanging from the rearview mirror was a cross with the name Jesus on it. We didn’t say anything at first, and then my husband mentioned that we like the name on the cross. She asked, “Do you believe?” and after we answered her, she smiled broadly and told her mother that we were Christians too. We are certain that God sent an “angel” to welcome us to this enormous city.
As I reread Psalm 123, the first verse captures the way that I feel, even though we are not experiencing a shred of contempt. I am lifting up my eyes to God who dwells in heaven. He has shown us mercy and is merciful to our unbelieving granddaughter. He has saved millions of people in this Asian land for Himself and to bring glory to His name. Even though He lives in heaven, He is not confined to that place – we are enjoying His presence here in this place also.
(November 13 at home)
Yesterday was our first full day in this place we have never been before. We had breakfast with our granddaughter, then she went to work and we walked to a very large trade center, the Kintex. The current event was tourism in South Korea and we learned much about this culture and that of many other countries represented here.
After a short rest and a wrestling match to get this computer working, we met with our granddaughter and took a short taxi ride to an outdoor mall. We had a game of Clue in a “Games Café” then supper in a Korean restaurant. The food is a challenge for us, me always trying for balance and my husband on a heart-smart diet. However, we are managing. At least we know what we are eating. However, I now understand why people from this part of the world often do some sort of exercise as soon as they get up in the morning. The beds are very hard, like sleeping on the floor. We are sleeping well, but everything is sore when we wake up. My variation of Tai Chi may look funny, but it and a hot bath do the trick.
We are amazing at two things. One is that after being in South Korea for three months, our granddaughter (who came here to teach English) freely communicates with taxi drivers and restaurant personnel in Korean. I’m amazed at her ability to learn so much of the language so quickly.
One other astonishment is the joy in this place. We have not seen or heard a quarrel or noticed anyone upset or crying. The Korean people are smiling if they are not laughing and are openly affectionate toward their friends.
My Scripture reading this morning is Psalm 123. It says: “Unto You I lift up my eyes, O You who dwell in the heavens. Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters, as the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the LORD our God, until He has mercy on us. Have mercy on us, O LORD, have mercy on us, for we are exceedingly filled with contempt. Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorn of those who are at ease, with the contempt of the proud.”
Today, I cannot relate to the reason for this plea to the Lord to be relieved from the contempt of those who do not believe in Him. South Korea is a strong Christian country and the evidence is everywhere. Many churches are marked by a neon cross high on their rooftops, but more than mere symbols, we are aware of the fruit of the Holy Spirit (love, joy, peace. . .) in the hearts and attitudes of the people, a far cry from contempt.
For example, when we arrived, we took a shuttle bus from the airport to the northeast of Seoul where our granddaughter lives. This trip took nearly an hour. When we arrived at the bus stop in this huge suburb, we felt a bit abandoned. We knew that she lived nearby and our hotel was not far away, but had no idea which direction to go or if anyone could speak English, never mind know and share the location of either.
A young woman from the same shuttle bus ride approached us. With perfect English, she said, “My mother is here to pick me up. We will take you to your hotel.”
We got in her car. Hanging from the rearview mirror was a cross with the name Jesus on it. We didn’t say anything at first, and then my husband mentioned that we like the name on the cross. She asked, “Do you believe?” and after we answered her, she smiled broadly and told her mother that we were Christians too. We are certain that God sent an “angel” to welcome us to this enormous city.
As I reread Psalm 123, the first verse captures the way that I feel, even though we are not experiencing a shred of contempt. I am lifting up my eyes to God who dwells in heaven. He has shown us mercy and is merciful to our unbelieving granddaughter. He has saved millions of people in this Asian land for Himself and to bring glory to His name. Even though He lives in heaven, He is not confined to that place – we are enjoying His presence here in this place also.
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