In this blog post, I will summarize my reflections and preparation process, focusing on my academic attitude, school activities, and experiences with consideration and cooperation during my high school years.

Academic Experiences and Reflections

I felt that I didn’t have many natural talents. I am not the type of person who can grasp everything after just one look, nor am I someone who can fully understand everything after a single glance. Therefore, I believed I needed to cultivate two qualities that would set me apart from others: “diligence” and “honesty.”
To me, “diligence” meant developing the habit of studying consistently every day. After realizing that high school studies are not structured in a way that yields results from cramming for just a day or two, I chose a life of making and sticking to plans. In the morning, I would take one English practice test; in the evening, I would take one Korean and one math practice test each; and at home, I would review social studies once a day. During every break, I reviewed the practice test questions, and if I felt I didn’t have enough study time, I would cut back on sleep to ensure I completed my planned workload. I never skipped homework or class material. I studied so consistently that I wouldn’t go to sleep until I had fulfilled the commitments I made to myself.
Another principle was “honest” studying. While some friends around me would solve problems half-heartedly and claim they were “done,” I didn’t do that. When I began studying, I would compose my mind through prayer and approach each problem with sincerity and the right attitude. Through the process of solving assignments on my own without copying and accepting the results, I was able to focus more on my efforts for the future rather than feeling dissatisfied with my grades.

Write about major school activities and reflections

Since there was no prayer group at our school, I used to go to a neighboring school to attend worship services. Every time I did, I wished our school had a prayer group too, and I asked myself why I hadn’t taken the initiative to start one myself. At first, I was afraid—I wondered who would actually come, who would lead the service and sing the hymns, and whether I could handle the responsibility. However, as I prayed and my confidence grew, I proposed the idea to my friends, and to my surprise, they readily agreed. Many told me, “We’d feel at ease if you took the lead,” and that support gave me great strength.
We began to organize a small group. We selected a friend to play the piano, formed a worship team, and asked everyone to pray for those who would attend. With a mix of excitement and nervousness, we prepared snacks and notes with Scripture verses for our first gathering. Starting with just over 15 people, the group gradually grew until it became a regular monthly meeting where we invited a pastor to lead worship. I still lead that worship service today, and I am always grateful for the opportunity to do so.
The relief ministry we faithfully carried out was particularly meaningful among our activities. The pastor who led worship with us at our gatherings mentioned that he was going to do relief work in a shantytown, and we offered to join him. During the Christmas holiday, we visited the shantytown to clean the rooms of the elderly and pray for them, but the living conditions there were beyond imagination. As we cleaned rooms filled with all kinds of insects and filth, I deeply realized how indifferent I had been to those around me, and how many people live in such difficult conditions. That experience made me realize even more urgently the need for prayer and action toward others.

Examples of Care, Sharing, and Cooperation, and My Reflections

While leading the prayer group, we often clashed with other clubs. As our group grew, members of other clubs sometimes became jealous or wary of us, saying things like, “We can’t do our activities properly because of your group.” At first, I was flustered because I didn’t know how to respond, but one day, a Bible verse I read gave me the mindset that “it is a blessing to be patient if it allows us to show the Lord’s grace.” From then on, I chose to be patient so as not to provoke others.
Some friends openly said they disliked us, and others complained about the noise. In those situations, I always apologized unconditionally, and instead of resenting them, I prayed for their well-being. Through the process of continually apologizing and praying, I learned to control my emotions and realized the importance of an attitude focused on restoring relationships in times of conflict.

Efforts and Preparation Related to Motivation for Application and Career Plans

Through these experiences, I developed a firm conviction regarding my dream. At first, I was afraid, wondering, “Can I really study theology?” I felt it would be difficult to handle because I believed theology is not merely the study of knowledge but a path that requires the Lord’s grace. However, my experiences of organizing and leading prayer meetings, serving others, and participating in relief ministry gradually gave me confidence.
Specifically, I have cultivated the mindset and attitude necessary for theological study and pastoral life through experiences such as organizing gatherings, providing musical accompaniment and leading worship to serve others; preparing for worship services through regular services and inviting pastors; and gaining a firsthand understanding of on-site needs through volunteer work in shantytowns. Furthermore, my efforts to restore relationships through patience and apology in times of conflict have served as essential training for caring for the community.
Moving forward, I will continue to build my theological foundation through prayer and diligent study, and I will prepare myself with a mindset to apply what I have learned while serving people in actual ministry settings. Although it will be a difficult and arduous path, I am preparing for my future career with the resolve to move forward one step at a time through prayer.