“Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens:
Who created all these?
He who brings out the starry host one by one
and calls forth each of them by name.
Because of his great power and mighty strength,
not one of them is missing.”Isaiah 40:26
How often do you look at the stars?
In a city like Seoul and many other big cities around the world, light pollution is so bad that very rarely can you see the stars. It was one of my favorite things to do back home in the US. Just sit outside and look up at the stars. But these days if I see the moon or a single star I’m happy!
I recently received a beautiful Christmas gift in the form of a trip to Jeju Island off the coast of Korea. My dear friends from the company I assist with English invited me to come along on their company training program. Each morning we all gathered at 6AM and ran a few kilometers along the coastline. Looking up into the sky and seeing the beautiful stars was so lovely. No light pollution or smog. Just the big beautiful sky and the sound of waves crashing along the shoreline. It was such a beautiful gift and a reminder of God’s creation.
After I got back from Jeju, city life continues in Seoul. I began preparing Christmas festivities at the church and also scheduling meet-up’s with friends over winter break. The church Christmas party and Christmas eve service went off without a hitch! It was such a great time to celebrate all the blessings over the past year and look onward to 2026.
One special activity we did at the Christmas Eve service is all write down three prayer requests for the next year and put them into a pile. Everyone picked one paper at random and the person they pick will be their prayer focus for the next year. This is such a wonderful way to grow together and strengthen each other in prayer.
As I look on to 2026 I think of all the blessing over the past year. The doors that God has opened and the friendships he’s provided. There have been some very difficult moments and challenges over the past year, but even in the hard times God has provided hope and comfort.
Growing up (and even now) I would listen to Adventures in Odyssey, an audio drama by Focus on the Family. One of the main characters, Whit, would say “There’s no such thing as a coincidence.” and I’ve been reminded of that saying this year. Each person I meet, every new friend, is a long and unique series of God designed decisions that led us together. Knowing God handcrafted their life and my life to align at just the right time to be here, now, sitting across from each other and sipping coffee, sharing a meal, or just walking along the street. People raised on different sides of the planet and yet united by their need for Christ. I see it in a moment as simple as looking at the stars with new friends from around the world. Only God could have put that moment together. I think Whit is right. No such thing as coincidence.
None of this ministry happens alone. Each prayer, gift and message of encouragement are a gift from God. Thank you for partnering with me in this work. As we enter the new year, I ask that you would continue to pray boldly with me for wisdom, new opportunities, and open hearts. I can’t wait to seeing what new adventures God has in store!
Gods blessings on the start of your new year. May the coming year be one of deeper trust, faith, and continued obedience to His call.
See you in 2026!
