Busan

There was a song in the late 90's or early 2000 or 2001 by a band called Ten Shekel Shirt called Ocean. One line of the song said "there is just something about the ocean that makes me rise up in praise" And that couldn't be more true. There is just something majestic about the ocean that can only make me believe even more that there is a creator of all that loves us so much that he allows us to see glimpses of his beauty through his creation.

This past weekend I went down to the southern coast of Korea to a Sea Port city known as Busan. It's a huge city about 4 million people, but there was just a different kind of feel to the city and it was vastly different then Seoul. I left Seoul early on Saturday morning, I took the KTX train, which is a high speed train that goes an average of 280 km/h. It felt like it was going so slow though. Busan is a good 5 or 6 hour trip if driving at a normal speed but I made it there before Noon on Saturday, the train ride was just under a 3 hour trip. When I got there I was nervous about communicating to a taxi driver where I wanted to go, but I managed. I also had no clue where I was going to stay but that worked itself out too.

I learned a lot about myself this weekend. I am capable of a lot more than I thought, I thought it would be terrifying to take a vacation all by yourself to a place you have never been before, especially in a foregin country where you don't speak the same language. But I learned that I am capable of a lot more than I thought. And it actually felt really good to do this by myself. I think discovering this will make the rest of my time here in Korea all the more enjoyable because now I am not afraid anymore of doing things and experiencing stuff by myself. Also it was good to get away for a few days and see another part of Korea, but it was even better to be on the beach. And I was reminded yet again how great it feels to have the sand between your toes and the tide coming up on your feet and washing the sand away.

As I was sitting on the beach one night watching the tide come in and go back out. I sat and reflected about the changes that have taken place in my life over the last 7 years, as well as the changes that have occured in the last year and the changes that are happening in my life right now. I think God is a lot like the ocean tide. He often sweeps in with his love and washes away the pain in our lives. He also washes away our unrighteousness with his blood and sacrifice. And as I reflected I was aware of the things that still need to change in me, but I was reminded that things don't stay the same, and we are constantly changing. Sometimes I am not sure if I like the person I have become. But God never fails to remind me that his grace is powerful enough to bring the lasting change that I need. And through the power that lives in me I am capable of making the sacrifices it takes to bring that change.

While in Busan I stayed at this amazing Hotel that was right on the beach. I actually got a pretty good deal on the room considering it was beach front, but the good deal probably had to do with it being the off season right now. But nonetheless the Hotel was perfect, the beach was perfect, and the weather was perfect...

I had a great time...