MORNIE UTULIE | MORNIE ALANTIE
The timing seemed impeccable, enough to viscerally feel the inexplicable “God” moment while it was happening. It has always been easier to realize God’s gentle footprint in hindsight than to realize God while God is “happening” in real-time. God in the present moment seems to elude us which is never God’s fault but our lack of awareness. The grace of God is such that God continues to come to us whether we realize God or not.
This morning, I attended a meeting with movers and shakers of the Korean missions movement. I also view them as fellow pilgrims on the journey. As a “semi” Korean, I have been honored to be part of the group for many years. While the major topic revolved around 600 missions leaders gathering in mid-June, they also celebrated the publishing of my book. I was the recipient of their unmerited favor and filled my calendar with more events and speaking engagements related to the book during this month.
While taking the subway back to Yangpyeong which was well over an hour, I thanked God for the Kairos moment of my book. With my limited scope and understanding, I have been more than happy to surrender to God’s timing. During the subway ride, I decided to put on my AirPods and listen to Spotify’s random Soundtrack playlist. During certain times, I am drawn to listening to Original Soundtracks which normally have no words but only instruments. When there are times when words (lyrics) fall short, and I do not want to be confined to words, that is when I lean on OSTs. Since words or lyrics do not restrict me, my mind wanders as free as the sky in all directions, writing any imaginative lyrics I want. Today was such a day.
After arriving at Yangsu station, I continued to listen to the playlist even while I was driving home. Do not do what I did. It is a short 15-minute drive but let me boast about the drive from the station to our place or vice versa. The road is called Bukhangang (North Han River) Road which travels some 4 gentle groovy miles or so hugging and caressing the river which puts the otherwise uber-famous Seine or Thames Rivers to shame. Seeing with my bare eyes, its width seems at least 4 or 5 times wider with its corresponding depth compared to the rivers mentioned earlier, not to mention the volume of water being carried. One misty morning, I mistakenly thought it was a lake, showcasing its mystery and calm. This road is also flanked by forsythia and Cherry Blossom Trees in the early spring, sending cherry blossom snow in April which is a sight to behold. This drive is to die for, and I get to drive it almost daily going to the Yangsu Eco Healing Center (gym), Tai Chi, Kwak Jiwon Bakery, Clara rice cake shop, Yangsu station, etc. The people in Seoul would pay money to drive the road every day if they could.
As soon as I entered Bukhangang Road, Enya’s May It Be (from The Lord of the Rings OST) started playing, and I knew the “God” moment. Enya’s other-worldly angelic voice helps ease the dark path in peace and the promise that lives within me now. It is not the absence of darkness that produces the interior promise, but the very presence of darkness that was overcome that leads to the discovery of the rising sun and the promise. While there are numerous scenes in The Lord of the Rings that highlight darkness and the courage that overcomes it, one scene that epitomizes darkness and equally corresponding courage is the scene of Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli entering the Paths of the Dead. Aragorn upon entering the Paths, resolutely utters, “I do not fear death.” In the end, there was no overcoming the darkness without passing through the Paths of the Dead. The result was that the Army of the Dead was mobilized due to the courage of Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli. The decisive Battle of the Pelennor Fields which turned the tide of the fate of the Middle Earth would definitely have been lost without the Army of the Dead. Darkness often summons our existential courage to show up from deep. There is no more running or hiding from darkness and fear. I will not spoil it here but The Guardians of the Galaxy: Volume 3 portrays such courage movingly. Courage overcoming darkness seems to be a perennial truth.
I had lived through my own version of darkness to know; Tolkien’s novel and the lyrics contain perennial wisdom that anybody can identify with. Join me in this combination of visio and audio divina (divine seeing and listening).
May it be an evening star
Shines down upon you
May it be when darkness falls
Your heart will be true
You walk a lonely road
Oh, how far you are from home
Mornie utulie (darkness has come)
Believe and you will find your way
Mornie alantie (darkness has fallen)
A promise lives within you now
May it be the shadow's call will fly away
May it be your journey on to light the day
When the night is overcome
You may rise to find the sun
Mornie utulie (darkness has come)
Believe and you will find your way
Mornie alantie (darkness has fallen)
A promise lives within you now
A promise lives within you now