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Birthday, Busan, Kim Jong-il, North Korea, prayer, sovereignty
For my birthday, it seems I received a rather odd present of sorts. On December 17, 2011 an oppressive dictator died. My spirit is divided over this. How interesting is it that I was in South Korea during the death of a North Korean dictator Kim Jong Il! On one hand, I’m saddened that God’s justice had to be implemented through his death instead of his redemption through Christ. This might spark a theological debate (great, I can handle it, that’s one of the reasons my man married me), but had Kim Jong Il accepted Christ, all of his sins, including the willful starvation of millions of his precious citizens, would have been heaped on Christ’s death and fully redeemed. Who knows what God could have accomplished through him had he believed? He could have turned an entire nation towards God… a smashing end to the communism permeating North Korea. So, I am saddened by this loss of potential.
But also I, along with many others in South Korea, see a huge opportunity on the horizon. The potential for a new era of redemption of North Korea, who would have thought? My heart is so happy that several of my close Korean friends born, raised, and living their adult lives here in Busan have a passion to aid the oppressed people of North Korea. They make career choices to make this happen; they labor in prayer to make this happen. They inspire me and open my eyes to a totally new form of racism that needs prayer and a partnership with God to redeem. There are many North Korean refugees here in South Korea. And many South Koreans will have nothing to do with them. It is a VERY politically charged issue. But what political issue is more important than the Christian’s duty to love? As Christians we can’t afford to ostracize an entire people. As you see North Korea in the news, please pray for them. See their faces, hear their unheard voices. Learn more about them and be sensitive about ways you can empathize with them.
“And in His name, all oppression shall cease!” Amen, amen!! May God bring another oppressive ruler to his knees… hopefully in this life not in the next… for next year’s birthday gift in 2012!
What injustice are you praying for today? Please let us know so we can partner with you!
Lou once said that Adolf Hitler would have made an amazing preacher. How sad that these incredibly influential people use it to glorify themselves instead.
So glad you mentioned that. I’ve always been awed by his speaking abilities, but never had the audacity to take to that level, preacher. So true. He had so many German clergyman wrapped around his finger, it’s sickening and sobering. What amazing potential yet wasted. You need to read Bonhoeffer’s bio by Metexas… amazing!
This reminds me of the Jews and the Samaritans. They had common ancestry, yet the Jews despised the Samaritans and would have nothing to do with them. I am so glad that some of the South Koreans are willing to reach out the the North Koreans, just like Jesus reached out to the Samaritan worman at the well, John 4:5-42. May the same result be that many will believe in Jesus and be saved.
Right on. That’s such a great text to meditate and ponder on concerning this on-going issue. It totally hits me afresh in this context. Thanks for posting!