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The Way of Love for the Lord
Chapter 55. Giving advice in the love of the Lord is true love. (September 17, 1982)
There was a four-day charismatic seminar in the town of Haenam. Fr. Nam, the spiritual director, and seven volunteers including Mr. Paul Lee, president of the charismatic movement in Gwangju, attended it. The first lecture was being given by Fr. Nam, when some of the audience whispered among themselves. “Father’s lecture is so good but his voice is so soft that we who are in the back seats cannot hear him well.” I said to them, “Let us tell him about it.” Then they spoke with serious expression on their faces, “How can we be bold enough to talk to him? It is best to stay still.” I thought, ‘If I overlook a neighbor’s mistake or wrongdoing, I will be held accountable too. To tell the truth with love is also to practice true love as we are brothers and sisters in the Lord. If they only praised him in front of him saying his lecture is so good while complaining behind his back, how unfortunate would it be?’ I asked the Lord in my heart if this thought of mine was right. “Lord, what should I do in this situation? If those who attended this seminar with difficulty could not listen to him well, how unfortunate would it be?” At that moment, the Lord replied, “My lovely little baby! Your current thought is none other than Mine. Therefore, do not worry but tell him with love.” After hearing the Lord’s answer, I was relieved and made up my mind to talk to him when an appropriate time came. Another lecture was given by Mr. Paul Lee, whose voice was so resounding unlike that of the priest that everybody was able to listen to him well and the applause for him was great. When the morning lectures had ended, everyone went to the lunchroom to have meals, where a sumptuous feast had been prepared by those who held this seminar. This was the first time I had been treated with these expensive dishes since I began to work as a volunteer three years earlier. However, a representative of those who hosted this seminar said, “I am sorry that there is not much food.” I said to him frankly, “You prepared too much food. Just as Jesus didn’t come to this world to be served, we didn’t come here to be served either. If we are well treated like this while working as volunteers, what kind of reward can we receive from the Lord?” Then a volunteer beside me told me to be quiet by prodding me in the side. So I reflected on myself about my words, thinking ‘Uh, did I put my foot in my mouth? Did I make an inappropriate remark arrogantly in the presence of a priest and some volunteers?’ I said to the Lord in my heart, “Lord, what shall I do? Have I made a slip of the tongue?” The Lord said, “No, they also know that what you've just said is right. You only said without fear what they could not say for the sake of face-saving and others’ eyes. As they are resenting the wound inflicted on their ego, they will laugh at your generous love and even criticize you. My baby, however, do not hesitate under any circumstance but follow Me unswervingly.” I replied, “Yes, Lord! I will follow You unswervingly wherever You lead me.” At that moment, it occurred to me that some attendees had complained like this - ‘Father’s lecture is so good but his voice is so soft that we who are in the back seats cannot listen to him well.’ After praying to the Lord, I said to the priest. “Father?” “Yes.” “I have something to tell you.” “What is it?” “Your lecture is so good, but…” “But...?” “It would be appreciated if you could raise your voice a little.” “Ah, my voice was too soft, was it not?” “Father, your lecture was so good but your voice was so soft that we who were in the back seats couldn’t hear you well, though we were all ears. I wish that we all listen to your good lectures well. Father, please forgive me if I have offended you with these imprudent words of mine.” “No, Julia, thank you so much. If my voice is soft again in another lecture, please stand up with your hand raised.” I gave my thanks to the Lord. All of these were possible because the Lord made use of me, a sinner, as His instrument just for a little while. Before long, his second lecture got started. Unlike the first one, he gave the second one in a louder voice. Therefore, I could listen to him well even though I was sitting on the last seat at the back. As I made a circle with my thumb and forefinger suggesting I could hear his lecture well, he finished his lecture smiling at me.
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