Title: Dream of the Source of Blessings
Zechariah (26) Dream of the source of blessings (Zechariah 8:18-23)
<The important goal of the religious life>
In Zechariah 1-6, there were messages through eight visions, and from chapter 7 onwards, the word of God comes 4 times according to the question about ‘fasting’. The fourth conclusion to that question is the main text. This verse tells us that the ultimate goal of faith is not fasting, but joy, rejoicing, and joy (verse 19). Fasting is also found in other religions. After all, fasting itself should not be the goal. If you fast, your prayers will be answered quickly and your body will actually be healthy by increasing white blood cells, but the more important purpose of fasting is ‘self-discovery’.
When you fast, you discover your worthlessness. After such self-discovery, a relationship with God is restored, followed by joy and joy. If you think of fasting as a means of showing off your faith and spirituality, you are already on a path far from the goal of self-discovery. Then hypocrisy and hypocrisy develop, and life is ruined. Always immediately recognize the reason for fasting. The three main purposes of fasting are ‘self-discovery, restoration of relationship with God, and restoration of joy, joy, and joy’.
When do you find joy and joy and joy? We must love truth and peace (verse 19). Fasting can be a 'self-centered image' that is mainly concerned with 'one's own piety, spirituality and problem-solving', but the love of truth and peace is usually a 'community-oriented image'. Always think of the community beyond yourself. The joy becomes true joy when the joy does not end with me, but extends to the neighbor through truth and peace, and the neighbor also rejoices.
< Dream of a source of happiness >
The love of truth and peace is a source of blessing, and many people want to be with him (verses 20-23). Then people grab hold of the blessed person and say. “I want to be with you too.” In fact, hearing such words is not a huge success, but in fact, it is the most blessed form. A greater success than ‘becoming a chaebol’ is ‘being a person people want to be with’. Dream of becoming a source of blessing that so many people want to be with, and above all, a support for those in need.
If you look around you, there are many marginalized people. When you welcome them and lead them from the dark to the bright, you will receive the grace of unwittingly treating the angels. When helping people in need, the most important thing is 'acknowledgment'. Everyone is precious. Life becomes mature only when you value others like me and realize that 'your happiness' is ultimately 'my happiness'. Such a life that allows people who are having difficulties to find happiness and joy wherever they go is the “life that becomes the source of blessings” given to Abraham.
Sometimes there is more hope in a small spark than in a roaring fire. In a sense, people who are having a hard time are like ‘little sparks’ that give new hope and courage. Be the kinder that kindles those little sparks into a big fire. When you send warm eyes and hands to those in need, the Lord will also send warm eyes and hands.
One day, Saint Francis met a remnant who had returned lonely from a crusade. His clothes were ragged, and he was dragging his skinny horse like a puppy. It was very cold that day, but the wind blew and the old soldier trembled. It was so sad to see him, Francis put his cloak on him. That night, Francis saw in a dream that the Lord came wearing the cloak he had taken off.
The Lord usually comes in the form of a little one. Now count the tears of the little one, and work hard to respond to his needs, and work hard to respond to struggling missionaries from other cultures. People turn away from their neighbors because they know that there is a price to pay if they open their hearts to them. When you empathize with the difficulties of those in need and embrace them warmly, the darkness of life disappears and the old times of the soul are gradually washed away. The greatest blessing in life is to rejoice and do good (Ecclesiastes 3:12). When we dream of becoming a source of blessing, we receive the grace of Him who is a greater source of blessing.