Today is the fourth anniversary of my ordination as a pastor. One of the things I decided to do after I became a pastor was to watch the video that contains the ordination service. I wanted to revisit and relive the precious and humble moments. I must remember my humble beginning. How can I ever forget that? But man’s propensity is to forget. That’s why I got into the habit of watching the video. So I sat down on my sofa today and popped in the video. Then I had my son, 9-year-old, come and sit next to me. How can he really understand the ordination, but I wanted him at least to taste what it is like to become a pastor.

As I began to watch the video, the old memories began to sweep over me and I was there at the church in Arlington, Texas. I soaked in everything I heard again: Pastor In-Gyun Oh’s message about Christ’s calling, equipping, and sending out of his disciples, Pastor Kyung Kim’s words of encouragement about having tears in my eyes for my flock (Acts 20:31), and Dr. Ashlock’s words of encouragement about fanning into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hand (the apostle Paul) and how I should have the heart that burns when I walk with the Christ. I want to cherish these words spoken to me every day. It was very pertinent for me to hear these messages again.

I thank the church, the people who worked so hard for me to make the experience effective and successful, and the many pastors who showed up to congratulate me on my ordination. More than anybody or anything, I want to thank my parents, especially my mother who was at the ordination and is now with the Lord, who had always wanted me to become a pastor. I owe what I am to their sincere prayers, words of encouragement, and all the support. Thank you, dad and mom. You were so good to me.

After watching the video, I headed to church to pray. While praying, I rededicated myself to the ministry of the Word and prayer and to my church and my flock. I repented of lack of tears in my ministry. God restored in me the joy of serving him and the focus I need to have as I continue my life here on earth. God is my vision and my everything. Amen.