“Called” (Day 15)

Verse of the Day

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” - John 15:5

 

I was born in South Korea into a Methodist pastor’s family. Even before I was born, my mother prayed like Hannah in the Bible. She vowed that if God gave her a son, she would dedicate him to the Lord. Yet my parents never pressured me into ministry. Instead, they quietly showed me what a life devoted to God looked like.

As a child, I was often sick, but I also experienced healing. Those moments drew me closer to God. At age twelve, during a youth retreat where my grandfather preached, I responded to the gospel for the first time and desired to follow Jesus.

Years later, while serving in the military with the UN Peacekeeping Forces in East Timor, I faced a spiritual wilderness. There were no churches, no mentors, and temptation surrounded us. God prompted me to start a Christian fellowship, but I ran from the call. Soon after, I became seriously ill with dengue fever. Alone and burning with fever, I prayed, “God, if you save my life, I will serve you with all my heart.” The next morning, the fever and rashes were gone. That moment changed my life. I began reading the Bible and discovered Jesus not only as Savior, but as Lord.

God continued shaping my path through ministry experiences, mission work in Thailand, and mentoring young people in Korea. Eventually, the church affirmed my call and supported my journey into ordained ministry.

When I arrived in Northern Maine in 2014, I came with big dreams of impact. But after a few years, I hit a wall. In 2018, during a prayer gathering, God spoke one word to me: abide. I realized I had been enduring, not abiding. Jesus came and made His home among us, and I sensed God inviting me to do the same—to stay put and to love people as they are.

Since then, my prayer has become simple: to be a loving husband, father, and pastor, and for the church to become the most loving place in town. – Victor Han

 

Thought for the Day

In what area of your life might God be inviting you to take a leap of faith—letting go of striving and learning instead to simply abide in Christ?

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