[Life's Journey 01] Life is a Journey on the Road - Discovering the Meaning of Life Along the Road

Life is a Journey.

The road does more than take us to new places. It also leads us toward new perspectives and values. Along the way, we encounter God, the world, other people, and even ourselves in new and meaningful ways.

Every one of us is traveling along a road of life. Some set out in search of new dreams. Others carry the burdens of everyday life as they continue their journey. Still others look back on the roads they have traveled and wonder what lies ahead.

Looking back, I realize that my own life has been one long journey.

In my younger years, I studied engineering and began my professional career. Later, responding to God's calling, I pursued theological education and entered the ministry. My journey, which began in Korea, eventually led me to the United States, the Philippines, and other parts of the world.

Along the way, I met countless people. There were moments of joy and seasons of difficulty. Sometimes things unfolded just as I had planned. At other times, I found myself walking paths I had never anticipated.

As the years passed, I eventually retired from full-time pastoral ministry.

But I have come to understand the word “retire” in a different way.

I like to think of retire as Re + Tire.

Of course, this is not the actual origin of the word. It is simply my own way of looking at a new season of life.

“Re” means “again,” and “tire” reminds me of the tires on a car.

After traveling many miles, a car's tires eventually wear out. But that does not mean the journey is over. With a new set of tires, the car is ready to travel again.

In the same way, I believe retiring does not mean that life's journey has come to an end.

To retire is not to retire from life, but to re-tire for a new journey.

Retirement, then, is not the end of the road. It is the beginning of another journey with renewed purpose and direction.

If the roads I traveled in the past were primarily those of pastoral ministry, missions, and education, I now hope to explore new roads in a different way.

For many years, I encountered people through ministry, missions, and teaching. Now, through travel, I hope to discover more of the world around me.

I want to appreciate the beauty of nature, learn about different cultures, and listen to the stories of people whose lives are different from my own.

Above all, I want to reflect on these experiences in the light of God's Word.

The Bible reminds us:

“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.” — Proverbs 16:9 (NIV)

We may carefully plan our journeys, but we cannot always know whom we will meet, what challenges we will face, or what lessons we will learn along the way.

That is why traveling requires humility. We need a willingness to learn when things do not go as planned and a spirit of respect toward unfamiliar people, cultures, and circumstances.

Through this blog, I hope to share three kinds of journeys.

First, a Journey of Faith. I want to reflect on everyday experiences and encounters through the lens of Scripture, exploring what it means to live by faith in the world today.

Second, a Journey Around the World. I hope to share the beauty of nature, the richness of different cultures, and the stories of people I meet. I also want to offer practical information that may help others prepare for their own travels.

Third, a Journey Through the Korean Language. Drawing from my experiences in learning and teaching Korean, I want to share the joy of discovering the Korean language and culture. Learning a language is more than memorizing vocabulary and grammar. It is a way of understanding the people, history, and culture behind the words.

These three journeys may appear different, but ultimately they lead toward the same destination.

It is a life of learning, understanding, and loving others.

I do not know how many more miles I will be able to travel or how many new places I will have the opportunity to visit.

But in the years ahead, I hope to remain curious, grateful for the people I meet, and joyful in discovering the world God has created.

My hope is that this blog will become more than a collection of travel stories. I pray that it will become a small gathering place where we can reflect on life, learn from one another, and find encouragement for the roads ahead.

The journey continues. And so does the learning along the road.

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