Embracing Others

Yesterday I had class with other Asian American Pastors called Developing Asian American Ministry with Dr. Peter Cha. I thoroughly enjoy the class as it is a open and safe environment to speak about the many issues we have as Asian Americans serving within generational demarcations that have historically been filled with conflict.

I remember when I first came back from Korea to America in 9th grade, I saw there was a barrier between the kids and the adults. I was in an unique situation after having lived in Seoul for six years. Although I was technically a 2nd generation kid, I understood the values and general attitude of the 1st generation parents and even shared them in some respects.

Looking back at Asian American history, I realized that God uses history and circumstances to bring about glory to Him. Just as he used my circumstances in going back and forth from America to Korea and back to America, God uses the history of my life and the history of Korean Immigrants in America, to extend His unconditional love to such unworthy people.

Recently, my prayers have continued to begin with this reflection. When I come to speak to the Almighty God who created the heavens and the earth and sent His only begotten Son for me, my response is like that of the tax collector in Luke 18, "Lord, have mercy on me, the sinner." When I first began a believer, I emphasized the nature of Christians being a new creation in Christ. They were people who were righteous and spotless because they had been freed from the bonds of sin. But reflecting on my life after being born again, I find myself just realizing more and more how utterly sinful I am inside and the depth of Jesus' sacrifice for dying for such a person as me.

Which brings me back to the lecture that spoke about the exclusion of Asian Americans by many of the white Caucasians. Asian were not allowed to own land in American until the 1950s, even though they came as early as the beginning of the 19th century. The corporate sin of excluding other peoples has not vanished in our society. Today, we attempt to exclude the Hispanic immigrants. The professor quoted Miroslav Volf on the definition of sin: "Sin is about exclusion, whether that means excluding God or others. The opposite of sin, therefore, is embracing God and others."

The example of Christ most clearly shows us what this means. Jesus truly embraces a person covered in horse mature and all sorts of infections all over the body. How He could do such a thing is why I am studying theology and ministry.

Lord, teach me to embrace people all throughout this world with the same compassion that you modeled for us. Let the mercy and grace that you have lavished on me be poured out to others through my life. When I die, I want to be remembered for having lived in the way of embrace rather than excluding.