Last year, I went through widespread difficulties in my personal life, family, and church ministry. During that season of hardship and adversity, I prayed earnestly, and through what the Lord impressed upon my heart — a kind of holy reversal in perspective — I chose to move forward rather than retreat. As a first step, I began a guitar class at the church education building in October of last year. I posted advertisements on Korean community websites and invited those who wished to learn guitar. After two weeks of advertising beginning in mid-September, four people enrolled. One participant joined as a co-teacher to take part in this meaningful work, so in reality there were three students. Most of them were over sixty years old — people who had long wanted to learn guitar in their younger days but never had the opportunity or circumstances to do so. Since then, we have gathered every Friday evening for our guitar class.

After three months of teaching, I witnessed something remarkable. Students who once seemed unlikely to progress were now keeping up surprisingly well. As their enjoyment grew, they began inviting friends. One by one they gathered, and now eight people fill the room with lively energy, accompanying and singing songs from the cherished memories of their youth. Sharing the emotional connection of the 1970s and 1980s generation, they are discovering small yet meaningful joys together.

Through this guitar class, I came to a small realization and lesson worth sharing. Each student’s ability is different. Even when pressing the same chords and playing the same rhythm, their skill levels and approaches vary. This is where the instructor’s role becomes evident — yes, perhaps I am boasting a little. Yet as we laugh together and learn in a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere, something surprising began to happen among them.

At the same time, the same instructor explains, demonstrates, and plays for the same people. I share my own know-how and skills. However, not everyone understands in the same way. Some listen and grasp what is being taught, while others hear and see the same lesson but still struggle to understand.

While leading this guitar class, I realized that the same principle applies to preaching each Sunday. Throughout the week, I meditate on Scripture, studying the central themes and key words of the passage. With spiritual hunger, I wrestle with the text, sometimes as though squeezing out its message, seeking what God desires to say through it. Then I prepare the sermon manuscript, revising and refining it repeatedly so that the congregation may receive it as spiritual nourishment.

On Sunday, I preach for about thirty minutes from the pulpit, doing my best to remain disciplined and clear. I deliver the message with the same heart, to the same people, at the same time. Yet not everyone understands it equally. Why is that?

Because each person possesses a different kind of ear — an ear able to hear. Age, life experience, or academic knowledge do not necessarily guarantee understanding. One must have ears that can truly hear. Those who possess such ears listen, understand, apply the message to their lives, and ultimately live it out.

In the end, to discern the Lord’s will and guidance, we must have ears to hear.

“But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop a hundred times more than was sown… Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.” (Luke 8:8)