December 23: The day of Faith, Freedom, and Grace

I am blessed to announce that today (12/23) marks the anniversary of when I began consistently reading the Bible, backed by my prolonged faith in God and Jesus Christ.

Prior to being a Christian, I fell victim to ageism due to my younger age compared to my same grade Korean peers, as I study under the U.S. curriculum, a year advanced than the Korean curriculum. Being daringly asked to call my same grade peers hyung or noona used to pose challenges to my academic progress and motivation.

I realized over time that such practice is rooted in Confucianism.

By reminding myself of the restrictions I faced, I’ve discovered that the effects of Confucianism extend beyond ageism: suppressing individuals’ freedom of speech and abilities while making humility an overkill. Its reality suggested the complete opposite of how it’s mistaken as encouraging social harmony.

Meanwhile, my experiences with professors, advisors, faculty, and fellow students at Stevens Institute of Technology allowed me to easily adapt to U.S. culture by heart. Although neither the institution nor the people around me were explicitly Christian, I began to notice the Christian roots embedded in everyday interactions in the U.S.

Holding the door for others, expressing appreciation, apologizing for small inconveniences, respecting personal space while walking or driving, allowing each person to chime in whenever available without pressuring anyone for a time-fixed meeting, and waiting for people to recover from hardships, all made me realize that the U.S. prioritizes ethics and individual freedom, and ultimately encourages individuals to improve their personal values in each of their unique methods.

Even outside Stevens, I was exposed to expressions involving God even in casual conversations. During a casual conversation with a Korean-American Genesis G80 owner, he said, “God forbid you’re ever in an accident.” (Needless to say, the fact that he drove a Genesis did convince me more to become a Christian.)

I’ve ultimately realized: Confucianism tried to penalize and discourage me for myself being who I truly am; Christianity praised and encouraged my efforts to retrieve and improve my own identity.

When one of my professors at Fordham University stated that she’s a Christian but does not go to church, I’ve ultimately realized that belief is subjective; the genuine belief of oneself holds the largest significance.

As I read about Jesus Christ and his disciples, from being ridiculed to where they inspire their acquaintances with their teaching, I’m astonished by their similarities with my own life path, and I further deepened my faith in God and Jesus Christ. Coincidentally, the date I started to proactively read the Bible is close to Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ.

I express my appreciation to God and Jesus Christ for guiding and illuminating my path, and eliminating the dangers that risk my personal values and growth. Amen.