From yours truly, Jae:

In various ways, God has shown His love for me throughout my life. The times He’s been most expressive— or perhaps the times I have felt His love the most— have been in the midst of my lowest lows.

There was a unique time when I felt aimless and thought nobody understood the chaos of the existential crisis I was having. Everything seemed meaningless and pointless, and I could not muster up the courage to have hope. Solace was nowhere to be found.

One day, after nervously pacing back and forth, I decided to reach out to a friend who insisted on sharing the gospel with me despite knowing I was already a believer.

As if he were waiting for this moment, Paul unveiled the beauty of the gospel to me: how we were uniquely made in God’s image, and how Jesus came as a prophet, a priest, and a king to bear my sin on the cross. It hit me then: Jesus died on the cross so I could live.

Jesus died on the cross so I could live.

But why!? Why me? What have I done to deserve this?

Oh, it was as if this mirror of reality in front of me shattered, and I no longer saw myself but Christ smiling back at me with his arms wide open.

Then, my life began flashing before my eyes. One frame at a time.

‘God, I see now you were there for me.

God, I see now you helped me there.

God, I see now you have been waiting for me all along…’

I knew something was different this time even though I had been a Christian for a while. What I experienced wasn’t a mere feeling. I knew and felt my heart touched by God— all the pain, sorrow, and chaos washed away.

His love forever changed me and my life.

People often ask me, “Jae, what is your passion and calling in life?”

Since then, my response has steadily been: “To evangelize to people who are already Christians but have not had the chance to know Jesus in a personal way.”

The most tragic thing I see in this world is coming across believers who know things about Jesus but have not personally encountered him to realize the beauty of God’s boundless love.

“For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”
Ephesians 3:14-19

If you are reading this and want to know more about the Father’s love for you and what that could mean for your life, you’re welcome to reply to this email to reach out. If you’re in the area, I’ll buy you a cup of coffee. If you’re a bit of ways away, I’m always happy to hop on a call to chat.

Like my old friend Paul, I am eager to share the good news with you even if you may have heard it a hundred times. And I hope one day you’ll also get to see Jesus smiling at you with his arms wide open.

From Manju:

I am so fortunate to be known and loved by a great God who shows His love all the time and every day. Sometimes His Spirit works through a verse and sometimes through the lyrics of a song. I love those moments of feeling God’s encouragement, exactly how I need, at exactly the right moment. But more often than not, I experience His great love through the kindness and compassion of His people.

I’ve had to move around for school quite a bit over the last 10+ years. Each time I felt apprehensive about the challenge ahead, wondering how God would fulfill the dream He placed in my heart. But what worried me the most was facing the challenge alone in a new place- away from the comfort of loving family and friends.

But I’ve learned time and time again- when God calls you, He provides for you and sustains you for the calling. At one point, I tried to fill that need by spending time with friends who were also lonely and hurting, trying to drown out the pain. But God found me in my helpless state and responded with compassion and words of truth. He reminded me He is my good Father and good shepherd. I am His daughter. He met me where I was and provided amazing friends who showered me with the love, support, and encouragement I needed for the journey.

I experienced the same story again in LA. I was nervous about moving from the Bible Belt in Texas to a new city. I had no idea where to start looking for community except to google “diverse church”. This time God showed His love through Jae, Mary (Holland), and our community group friends who have since shared in my greatest sorrows and greatest joys. From sitting next to me at church when I was alone to sharing long great conversations over meals, I have experienced God’s love through the kindness of friends. This great love has changed and anchored my heart- knowing I am loved, I am His and I have everything I need in Him.