One of our deacons was recently hospitalized to undergo surgery for a women’s health issue. A certain deaconess, who had always been close to her, took the entire day off from work so she could accompany the deacon to the hospital early in the morning. Not only that, she earnestly asked fellow church members to pray for her. Watching her comfort the deacon’s family, carefully checking what the household might need, and standing by them as a strong and dependable guardian—it was truly moving and trustworthy.

When the pastor praised the deaconess for her warm and thoughtful heart, she humbly replied, “What good is it even if I stay by her side? I can’t take away her pain, not even a little.” It was a truly beautiful expression of humility.

People often complain that everyone around us is too busy and exhausted with immigrant life to enjoy anything. Yet when we look closely, we see a community that drops everything to help one another in times of trouble. It is deeply heartwarming.

We remember the tragic bombing of the Oklahoma City federal building last year, where countless lives were lost, including the precious children in the nursery. Even today, the fences surrounding the remains of the collapsed building are covered with cards, letters, flowers, and even teddy bears—tokens of remembrance and comfort from citizens. Love that rises from the ashes—pushing through destruction, pain, hatred, and resentment—is something no one can stop.

When even the nearby Methodist church was damaged by the blast, Jews and Muslims joined forces across denominational lines to help rebuild it. This revealed the greatness of the human spirit hidden within us.

Although our Korean community is sometimes criticized for being divided, we can also see many signs of maturity. On July 7, at the Christian Broadcasting Network’s Sacred Music Festival held at Carnegie Hall, the united dedication of Christians was truly something to be proud of. Small churches joined together to participate as one choir, while larger churches poured their hearts and strength into preparing their music. There was no trace of tired, overworked immigrants—only the overflowing beauty and holiness of human devotion toward God. The passion and Spirit-filled singing of the churches that came all the way from Korea moved the audience into a deep well of grace. One pastor who traveled that long distance despite visa difficulties emphasized that they came “to fulfill the unity of brothers.” The joy and pride of the believers who had long supported Christian broadcasting with prayer and generosity reached its peak with the grand chorus of “Hallelujah.”

We may feel as though we live alone, but we are one united body. Just as beads are strung together into a necklace, just as small bricks build a great building, just as pieces of a vast puzzle come together, brothers and sisters hold hands, laugh and weep together, and move toward wholeness day by day.

“How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity. It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down upon the collar of his robes. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.”

The unity of brother with brother, nation with nation, race with race—this is the purest and most beautiful expression of humanity on earth. In unity we find the source of abundance; in unity we find forgiveness and understanding; in unity we find each person’s uniqueness, character, and freedom. Only within our unity can we discover the diversity, beauty, and perfection of God.

Today, I send respect and love to all who strive, pray, and give their best for unity—within families and individuals, workplaces and businesses, churches and denominations, organizations and communities. Crossing the valleys of differing thoughts, ideologies, and beliefs is lonely and difficult. Yet we, too, walk this great path of unity, remembering that unity begins in the closest places and with the smallest acts. And so we welcome this beautiful day.

— Wanhee Yoon, November 24, 1997