Did you know that Jeung Island in Korea boasts an impressive 90% evangelization rate? This island is not only known for its spiritual significance but also for its stunning natural beauty.
The remarkable evangelization rate can be attributed to the late Missionary Jun Kyung (J.K.) Mun, who faced significant challenges in her early life. After being abandoned by her husband and becoming a widow, she supported herself through sewing. One day, she encountered the gospel and embraced Jesus as her savior. Following her theological studies, she returned to Jeung Island to establish churches, inspired by the influential Rev. Lee, a prominent revivalist of her time.
During that era, fishing villages in Korea presented harsh living conditions and posed challenges for women in general. Cultural norms even restricted women from approaching fishing boats, as they were believed to bring bad luck. Despite these obstacles, Missionary Mun traveled extensively across Jeung Island and neighboring islands, spreading the gospel, establishing prayer centers, and planting churches. It is said that while most people wore one pair of shoes a year, she wore nine pairs due to her relentless dedication to evangelism, walking tirelessly along many paths.
Missionary Mun was killed and martyred by Communist soldiers during the Korean War. She made the “different” choice” despite her colleagues’ advice against it and went in to protect the people of Jeung Island, and ended up losing her life. Many believers and ministers of our time have been influenced by her life to follow the Lord’s path.
Even today, we need to make “different” choices for our children. Today, sending our children to schools, academies, and institutions has become so commonplace that it is no longer a “different” path. Many parents choose to work more hours themselves to provide best education possible and higher financial support for their children. It’s not uncommon for parents to work more than two jobs to send their children to private schools. So what are the “different” choices for our children in this day and age?
I want to share a poignant story about my wife and her friend Jane. After graduating from college, my wife entered the workforce, got married, and eventually decided to leave her job when her first child was born. In contrast, Jane, who graduated alongside my wife, also got married around the same time but chose to continue her career while raising three children. After my wife left her job, they lost touch for several years. They finally reconnected when Jane’s child faced bullying in elementary school, prompting Jane to confide in my wife about her worries.
During their conversation, my wife became acutely aware of the challenges faced by career women. She expressed to Jane that she was at a pivotal moment in her life, needing to choose between her career and family. When a woman gets married, she has two new priorities in life: a devoted partner and a nurturing mother. As my wife elaborated on these roles, Jane grew visibly uncomfortable and interjected,
“What about ‘my’ life? Where is ‘my’ life? I’ve worked hard for the past 30 years, striving to succeed in a career that I fought for. Don’t you think God has a plan for me in my work?”
The wife responded gently, saying,
“Absolutely, your education, your career, and everything you do at work are significant. However, I believe that a woman’s greatest priority is to be a loving companion to her husband and a nurturing mother to her children. This is the Biblical mission entrusted to you, and I encourage you to reflect on your priorities. Right now, your child truly needs your undivided attention.
Jane, it’s important to understand that your life doesn’t end when you leave your job. In fact, it can flourish as you embrace your role as a partner to your husband and raise your children with love and patience. That’s the essence of a fulfilling life according to the Bible.”
Hearing such a perspective, which is often overlooked in society and even in church, Jane felt a bit unsettled. However, she quickly recognized the truth in my wife’s words and requested our prayer for the strength to embrace this path.
Many parents find themselves sacrificing precious time with their children in pursuit of career advancement and financial gain. We often choose to delegate their care to others, believing we can keep our hands clean by entrusting them to “good” hands. We rely on schools and teachers for intellectual education, churches and ministers for spiritual guidance, and screens for emotional support. However, parents may not realize that this approach is not Biblical at all. God has entrusted the holistic education of our children to their parents.
As it is written, “These words that I command you today shall be in your heart, and you shall teach them diligently to your children” (Deuteronomy 6:6-7a ESV).
This is why it is essential for parents to take a primary role in teaching and caring for their children. We must not fall into the misconception that church ministers will bear the responsibility for our children’s faith. This isn’t due to any weakness in the church or a lack of ministers, nor is it a reflection of the quality of schools and institutions. The truth is, no one in the world can love and guide our children as their parents can, with the patience and persistence that only a parent can provide. God designed and created us this way, ensuring that parents are the primary teachers and ministers in their children’s lives.
But in today’s society, there are so much work to do and parents are so busy doing it, and it is pushing parents to give up on nurturing their children’s souls so easily.
Our bold advice may be upsetting to some of you at first. But we can’t help but tell you the Biblical truth: If both parents are working, one of you need to give up your career to care for your children. Why? Because you can actually earn money anytime. Opportunities will open up again anytime, but the time you have with your children is now or never.
Helping with homework and preparing meals should be the most rewarding thing in the world. Why can’t teaching them the Word and prayer yourself be the greatest mission of your life?
We parents should never “take it for granted” that we are called by God to do these things. Let’s not be fooled by the delusion that someone better qualified in the world will do a better job than any parent. Let’s not be a hired hand who run away from God’s calling, but let’s be a good shepherd who cares about the sheep, our children, even if it may cost of our lives.
The hired hand runs away because he’s working only for the money and doesn’t really care about the sheep. (John 10:13 NLT)
In our current fast-paced society, there’s an overwhelming amount of work to be done, and parents are often so busy that they easily overlook the importance of nurturing their children’s souls.
We know this advice might be jarring for some, but we are compelled to speak the Biblical truth: if both parents are working, one of you needs to consider stepping away from your career to care for your children. Why? Because while you can always find new job opportunities, the time you have with your children is now or never.
Helping with homework and preparing meals should be incredibly rewarding. Why can’t teaching your children the Word and leading them in prayer yourselves be the most important mission of your life?
We must never take for granted the calling God has placed on us as parents. Let’s not be misled into thinking that someone more qualified will do a better job than we can. Instead of acting like a hired hand who abandons their responsibilities, let’s be good shepherds who genuinely care for our children, even if it comes at our personal sacrifice.
As stated in John 10:13 (NLT), “The hired hand runs away because he’s working only for the money and doesn’t really care about the sheep.”