1 Thessalonians 3:12 (New International Version)
May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for
each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.
Dr. Paul Yonggi Cho is pastor of the largest church in
the world in Korea. Several years ago, as his ministry was becoming
international, he told God, "I will go anywhere to preach the
gospel-except Japan." He hated the Japanese with gut-deep loathing because
of what Japanese troops had enslaved the Korean people during WWII.
Through a combination of a prolonged inner struggle,
several direct challenges from others, and finally an urgent and starkly worded
invitation, Cho felt called by God to preach in Japan. He went, but he went
with bitterness.
The first speaking engagement was to a pastor's
conference-1,000 Japanese pastors. Cho stood up to speak, and what came out of
his mouth was this: "I hate you. I hate you. I hate you." And then he
broke and wept. He was both brimming and desolate with hatred.
At first one, then two, then all 1,000 pastors stood up.
One by one they walked up to Yonggi Cho, knelt at his feet and asked
forgiveness for what they and their people had done to him and his people.
As this went on, God changed Yonggi Cho. The Lord put a
single message in his heart and mouth: "I love you. I love you. I love
you." Since the moment, Paul has had nothing but love for the Japanese
people.
Sometimes God calls us to do what we least want to do in
order to reveal what's really in our heart.
Dear Lord today we give You our heart so that we may have
Your love for others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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