"The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field" (Matthew 13:44).

An important ceremony took place onboard a vessel in a naval fleet. The ceremony was so significant that even the admiral was scheduled to be in attendance.
Then a problem arose; the admirals insignia was damaged and could not be put to use. Embarrassed and taken aback, the admiral ordered anyone with an admirals insignia to report to him but, as the rank of the highest officer on that ship was still well below that of an admiral, no one was found with an admirals insignia. The admiral, in turn, was forced to attend the ceremony without his insignia.
Following the ceremony, the admiral received word that an ensign on a small vessel was in possession of an admirals insignia. Curious, the admiral asked the ensign why he had not come forward and the ensign, thought a bit bashful, replied boldly.
"My girlfriend gave it to me as a gift when I was appointed an ensign." Although he was at a lowly position, the ensign held fast to the dream, breathed into him by his girlfriend, of becoming an admiral one day, and as he lived each day with diligence in hope and gladness, he would eventually go on to become one of the finest admirals during World War II in the U.S. Pacific Fleet, just as he and his girlfriend had envisioned.
The Bible tells us that Jesus Christ is our Bridegroom, and our Bridegroom in turn promises to give us eternal life as a gift. Furthermore, as our Lord tells us how He desires to live in love with us forever in the beautiful and glorious New Jerusalem, He has given us an insignia of love.
A new year has dawned. With the insignia of love our Lord has given us in our heart, I hope that each of us will soar into the heavens like an eagle and make a powerful leap into Year 2008.

Dr. Esther K. Chung, Ph.D.
~ Former President, Seoul Womens University
~ President, Manmin International Seminary