As we were building up new hope and expectation for the future, we heard the tragic and heartbreaking news of a domestic plane crash which took so many lives. What’s more,countless people are dying due to war and terror around the world, which is continuing even at this moment, and numerous people are suffering from the impact of natural disaster across the globe. On the home front, political disorder and confusion are weighing heavily on the minds of the people and economic insecurities are plaguing the entire nation. Social conflict and confrontation caused by such issues as lack of jobs for the youth, aging population and declining birthrate are getting worse, making people ever more divisive on the grounds of alleged class, age, region and gender inequality. Inhumane incidents are happening so often, giving us no choice but to start the year with a mind full of worries than with high expectation.

Nonetheless, God has allowed our church to start anew with a new motto: ‘proclaiming and enjoying in the hidden riches of the Gospel’. The Gospel is good news because Jesus Christ came to this world in flesh to be an atoning sacrifice, forgiving all our sins and leading us to transformation. Not only did he die for us but was risen from the dead to give us everlasting life so we may live in utmost hope. Furthermore, the holy spirit of God resides in us so we may be regenerated hence we dwell in the amazing secret of the Gospel, knowing that God is our guide and guard, and also strive to be worthy of it. As Christians we live to the fullest, a life of little Christ.

The Gospel contains the secret of how to become holy, just as God is holy. It is a book accounting on the endless secret of being transformed, through the love of God, into a new being, full of compassion and kindness, humility, gentleness and patience, full of love and tolerance for others. It tells the secret how to live a life full of peace and gratitude on accountof that love. This is what the hidden Gospel is all about. It’s a secret of the Gospel. Our mission is not to keep this secret for ourselves, but to share it with one another. The Bible is telling us God has called us to be workers for the Gospel. While ‘personality’ is about character and disposition or moral behavior and attitude, ‘Christian life’ is about becoming a new creature by accepting Jesus Christ. Christians are people of God who’veexperienced an existential transformation, being renewed day after day. They don’t live for themselves, but work for and to bring glory to God. Therefore, being called for the Gospel means that we’ve been called to dwell in and proclaim the Gospel of salvation, the Gospel of love and the Gospel of grace.

To enjoy the grace of God’s calling we need to be renewed in the Gospel every day. We need to draw closer to God to experience deeper spirituality which is possible through prayers. I pray that this year abounds with God’s blessing as we grow in the intimate knowledge of God through our daily prayers. We have a mission to intercede for our nation and the world, seeking the will of God above everything else. I encourage the members of Kwanglim to seek the will of God infused in this difficult time and age and pray for those who are marginalized and distressed.

Furthermore, we should minister whenever and wherever we can. As the Scripture says,“How can they believe in the one of whom they’ve not heard. How can they hear without someone preaching to them? (Romans10:14)”, we should be reminded our calling is to preach the Gospel which is to be proclaimed not only by words but also by our honest actionwith character and integrity. Through our entire being we should demonstrate the power and grace of God blessing our lives to the brim by living a life of transformation through the Gospel. This means we are to pursue the cosmic truth. As we share this truth, we come to realize that it’s not through political, economical, societaland cultural engagements that bring change and hope but trough living out the Gospel. We are to be assured that it is the Gospel that brings hope to the world, that churches that preach the Gospel are the source of hope and that the more Christians rejoice and partake in the significance of the Gospel the more this world would flourish in God’s blessing. Finally, following Christ means that we shouldn’t turn a blind eye to our suffering neighbors but help them. We must remember there are many around us struggling with mental or financial problems. Like the good Samaritan in Jesus’ parable, we must become neighbors to those who are weak and suffering. Preaching the Gospel means to make neighbors of the Kingdom of God. I pray that this year we may make more effort in making neighbors ofGod’s Kingdom by sharing in their pain and suffering.

Facing the harsh realities of the day we find ourselves too easily fall into depression and negativity, but we must be convinced that hope will prevail and joy will come when we serve, love and share with others in humility. We should be reminded that the Gospel is good news and that churches that spread the good news are harbinger of hope. Kwanglim, a flame burning in a bush, has been called to carry out this mission. May God bless the members of this holy community of God as they share the good and joyful news of the Gospel, partaking in establishing the Kingdom of Heaven on earth while enjoying in his awesome and abounding blessing.