Worth the Effort

Who am I, and who is Apollos, that we should be the cause of a quarrel? Why, we're just God's servants, each of us with certain special abilities, and with our help you believed. My work was to plant the seed in your hearts, and Apollos' work was to water it, but it was God, not we, who made the garden grow in your hearts. The person who does the planting or watering isn't very important, but God is important because he is the one who makes things grow. Apollos and I are working as a team, with the same aim, though each of us will be rewarded for his own hard work. We are only God's co-workers. You are God's garden, not ours; you are God's building, not ours. 1 Corinthians 3:5-9 (TLB)

Commit your work to the Lord, then it will succeed. Proverbs 16:3 (TLB)

Jeong Pil-Seok lives in Seoul, South Korea. Jeong work as an editor on the publishing team for the Korean edition of The Upper Room. Jeong edit the Korean translation of the devotional guide so that their readers may comprehend it with ease.

Over the years they have distributed the Korean edition to many readers for free, especially individuals in hospitals, military camps, and prisons. A few years ago a generous donor began supporting their effort to distribute The Upper Room to multiple prisons across South Korea.

One day at work, Jeong received a call from a person saying he was moved by the message of the devotional guide and asking where to buy it. Jeong asked him, "How did you get to know The Upper Room?" He replied, "A few days ago he was released from prison, where he often read it."

After the call Jeong was overcome with emotion and could hardly say a word. He gave thanks that their efforts and the donor's good intentions were bearing fruit. He doesn't know what that caller's life has been like, but he firmly believes that his life will be better than before and closer to God with The Upper Room as a companion.

Prayer: Lord of hope, help us not to become weary in sharing your love with others, in Jesus' name. Amen.