Your Destiny is Waiting
“God doesn’t waste a hurt if we let him write the story.” Steve Saint
In the far reaches of a luscious and loud jungle, deep in the heart of Ecuador, Steve worked away for an entire year. After his mother’s death, Steve traveled from the United States to hold the funeral. After mourning with her friends, the Waodani people asked him to stay and live with them. Mr. Saint's objective during his tenure in the Ecuadorian jungles was to assist in the development of their tools and technology. Embodying his surname, he followed his mother's legacy of love and service to others. The life story of Steve Saint is not merely intriguing, but significantly inspiring- a narrative that leaves a profound impact. I have an affinity for good stories. It is this love for compelling narratives that draws me to K-dramas, where outstanding stories are brought to life on screen.
"Itaewon Class" ranks among my most preferred dramas. Its appeal lies largely in the charming performances of its actors and their remarkable acting skills. Yet, there is more depth to this drama than meets the eye. Its characters are intricately developed and the script is full of wisdom. Even Park Seo-Joon discovered it challenging to distance himself from his role after filming, such was the profound influence the character had on his personal life. Who is central to this compelling narrative? It is none other than the indomitable Sae-ro-yi, brilliantly portrayed by Park Seo-joon.
Stuck in the Past
Sae-ro-yi’s journey is fraught with challenges. His childhood traumas cast a perpetual shadow, shaping his life into a relentless pursuit of retribution. Sae-ro-yi, a profoundly wise and compassionate business owner deeply invested in people, is internally wrestling with a personal battle. Resentment from his past is eating away at him. While Sae-ro-yi is a man of honor, he is a prisoner of his past, unable to appreciate the present. His only goal: become the most powerful corporation in Korea. Ultimately, he wants to take down the Jangs at any cost. He is bitter and discontent. No amount of success seems to bring him peace.
Steve Saint shares a similar but real-life trauma as Sae-ro-yi. For years Steve’s father, Nate, served the hard-to-reach tribes in Ecuador. On the afternoon of January 8th, 1956, on the banks of a river near the Auca village, a special meeting was to take place with one of the most reclusive tribes. Unfortunately, Nate and the men were never heard from again. Steve’s father and four others were murdered by the tribe. Wives were left without husbands and children without fathers. These brave men, who sacrificed their own lives for the betterment of others, fell victim to the destructive force of hatred and fear.
Fortunately, this is not the end of the story. Unlike Sae-ro-yi, Steve’s life took a different path. Some of the widows and family members returned to Ecuador to continue the mission of their lost husbands. In an extraordinary act of forgiveness, Steve also returned to live with and serve the Waodani. He went on to start ITEC, an organization whose mission is to train, educate, and equip indigenous people groups.
How can an individual live a life of forgiveness exemplified by Steve Saint?
Let’s dive into three compelling questions that will uncover the pathway to healing.
Are past traumas robbing you of your current joy?
Sae-ro-yi’s strong values are commendable, yet his fixation with revenge blinds him. He leaves the audience shaking their fists at the screen hoping he will open his eyes to the life and love he is missing out on. He initially focused on people, but his bitter heart eventually led him down a singular route of revenge. Despite his outward success, he is left overworked and withdrawn.
Are you easily irritated, angered, or disappointed?
Are you addicted to work or alcohol, suffer from constant fatigue, or frequently fall ill?
Do you withdraw from people, feel perpetually sad, or experience feelings of worthlessness or despair?
Unresolved trauma can often surface as anger, addictive behaviors, or depression (Elijah House, 2024). Just as weeds can regrow larger if the root is left behind, unresolved trauma can produce unhealthy fruit. Often, we dismiss these experiences, convinced they hold no lasting impact. We strive forward, secure in the belief that we are resilient and strong enough to push through the pain. However, to fully progress, we must confront and reconcile the resentments of our past. Psychologist Rob Morrissette (2006) states that when bad fruit ripens in our lives, it will start to stink. According to Mr. Morrissette, to be healed from past hurts that produce rotten fruit we must:
Recognize the bad fruit in our lives.
Identify the root issue.
Pray through it with a friend, pastor, or counselor.
This process will heal our hearts and lead us to live fruitful lives. (Hosea 10:12,13a)
Who Defines You and What Fuels You?
Is your identity entirely shaped by the influence of family and friends or perhaps your identity is found in achievements, physical appearance, or social status? All these components add to our persona, but our identity and self-worth should be rooted in the eyes of our Creator. Did you know there is a divine purpose for our lives that can only be discovered when we establish a relationship with God? Our true identity can be known and our purpose fulfilled when our hearts are aligned with the heart of our Creator. He created and designed us for a beautiful purpose (Psalm 139).
Although Sae-ro-yi's life was derailed for many years, he eventually wakes up to his divine calling. A near-death experience led to a divine conversation. What is depicted as a meeting with his father at Heaven’s gate (or to be true to the drama, at Heaven’s bridge) can be interpreted metaphorically as an encounter with Father God. This conversation helps him cut through the fog of his previous misunderstandings and paves the way to a realization of his life's purpose. Sae-ro-yi believed he would only find peace when he avenged his father’s murder, but that mission was fueled by hate. His divine encounter awakens him to a new way of living, a new mission fueled by love and forgiveness. (Romans 8:28)
Do you have stinking thinking (aka cognitive distortions)?
Did you know we can restructure our thought processes? Automatic Negative Thoughts (ANTs), a term coined by psychiatrist Dr. Amen, can sabotage our everyday lives. ANTs are the repetition of unhealthy thoughts in our minds. Many people may not fully comprehend the immense influence their thinking has on their lives. It's not merely a case of "you are what you eat." Equally significant is the fact that "you are what you think." It is powerful to know that we can successfully combat ANTs through neurocycling. Renowned neuroscientist Dr. Carolyn Leaf reveals that while we have no power to alter our past, we can determine how these past events affect our present and future lives.
Sae-ro-yi had a strong mindset; it was just aimed at the wrong objective. Through neurocycling, we can “clean up our mental mess” (2021, Leaf). This process teaches us to replace negative thoughts with new thoughts. Dr. Leaf (2021) provides five steps to modify toxic thinking. In a simplified summary, we are to:
1) Gather our thoughts.
2) Reflect on our thoughts.
3) Write down our thoughts.
4) Recheck - Study our writings and look for unhealthy thought patterns.
5) Active Reach - Rewrite new thoughts. This creates new neural pathways, we literally write a new way of thinking!
According to Dr. Leaf, we need to dedicate time to this process daily so that we can redefine toxic thinking before it becomes a permanent part of our brain structure (Leaf, 2021). If we transform our thinking, we can transform our lives. (2 Corinthians 10:5)
"You can change your brain, and when you do... you change your life." Dr. Amen
How can we let go of the past?
A poignant scene in "Itaewon Class" is when Sae-ro-yi kneels before his nemesis, Chairman Jang. Sae-ro-yi is broken and desperate. He is finally willing to let go of his past to save the one he loves. Although it seems as if Sae-ro-yi has lost his fight, in fact he has won. Sae-ro-yi is not stating that Jang is correct. He is not surrendering to Jang, but rather surrendering his life to love. Through surrender he finds freedom. He is freeing himself from hatred so that he can finally move forward. Forgiveness says - I release you and your deeds will no longer have an influence on my life.
The power of hate leads to hurt and even murder, but the power of Jesus’ love leads to forgiveness. It led Nate Saint to sacrifice his life in service to the tribes of Ecuador. It led Steve Saint to forgive his father’s murderers. Love gave Steve the capacity not only to forgive but also to serve and educate the same people who took his father’s life away.
We can uproot the past and rewire our way of thinking.
We can surrender our hearts and lives to a greater purpose, our divine calling.
The choice is ours to make.
A divine destiny is waiting.
“Can you not discern this new day of destiny breaking forth around you? The early signs of my purposes and plans are bursting forth. The budding vines of new life are now blooming everywhere. The fragrance of their flowers whispers, “There is change in the air.” Arise, my love, my beautiful companion, and run with me to the higher place. For now is the time to arise and come away with me.” Song of Songs 2:13
References:
Amen, D. G. (2000). Change your brain, change your life: the breakthrough program for conquering anxiety, depression, obsessiveness, anger, and impulsiveness. New York, Three Rivers Press.
Leaf, Caroline. Cleaning up Your Mental Mess: 5 Simple, Scientifically Proven Steps to Reduce Anxiety, Stress, and Toxic Thinking. Baker Books, a Division of Baker Publishing Group, 2021.
Morrissette, Rob. Pray through It: Understanding the Significance of Sowing and Reaping. Big Blue Skies Publishing, 2006.
