When we were constructing the Ambition masterpiece, one of my disciples did not follow the instructions I gave him, and as a result the Ambition masterpiece crumbled when it rained. At a later time, when we were working on the medicinal spring, that same disciple suggested, “Don’t you think that spot over there is better than this spot?”
Even though he made a mistake in the past, I listened to his suggestion and moved the location of the spring toward the hill. Originally, I planned to place the medicinal spring at the centre of the foot of the lawn because that location would make it look beautiful and would also allow the water to flow directly into the middle.
At first, I considered moving the spring toward the hill, but I also still wanted it to be in the middle of the lawn so that the water would flow directly into the middle and so that it would stand out.
However, that disciple said to me, “If you place it in that central spot, it will get in the way when you ski down the lawn during winter.” After hearing that, I thought, “That’s true, one disadvantage is that it will get in the way when we go skiing.” At that moment some fellow disciples who were working by my side said, “Hey, the Teacher clearly knows what he is doing. Why do you keep trying to speak to him? Don’t you remember what happened to the front mountain when you did not do the work you were asked to? It collapsed, remember? Go away.”
I did not say anything in rebuke. I simply said, “Let him work together with us.”
Actually, when I initially thought about the mistake he made in the past, I did not want to listen to his advice. However, because he had a better idea about the location of the medicinal spring, I listened to him. I thought, “The Holy Son always works through a person who knows more,” and I, therefore, accepted his thoughts as the Holy Son’s thoughts.
After accepting his thoughts, I immediately moved the location of the medicinal spring from the centre of the lawn, where it was being constructed at that time, to its present location. The Holy Son said, “Having the medicinal spring near the hill is more natural and creates harmony, don’t you agree? They were, in fact, words that I had said through your disciple.” Once the spring was completed, it became clear that it was definitely located in the prime spot. If we had placed the medicinal spring at the centre of the lawn, the spring becoming an obstacle while skiing, would have only been the tip of the iceberg in comparison to the problem it would’ve caused every time we held large assemblies.
In the course of working, there are always advantages and disadvantages to consider; however, you should always do what is best from among them. Empty out your narrow thoughts and instead do it while thinking of the whole picture.
Although one disciple made an error in the past, if I only thought about that and worried, I would not have been able to use that person for anything else. That person participated in the work because Heaven had a Will for them to do so. Therefore, that person should not have simply be seen as a problem in all areas, because at the required time he was used by the Holy Son according to their area of speciality.
-From the morning message on March 26, 2015-
제자 중에 내가 시킨 일을 안 해서 그로 인해 비가 왔을 때 앞산 야심작이 무너졌다.
그 후에 내가 약수 샘 작업을 하는데, 그 제자가
“여기보다 저기가 더 좋지 않아요?” 했다.
그래도 나는 그 말을 듣고 산 쪽으로 샘을 옮겨서 작업했다.
원래 나는 약수 샘을 잔디밭 하단 한가운데에 만들어서 멋있게 보이게 하려고 했다.
그 자리가 물줄기가 흘러내리는 중앙이기 때문이었다.
산 쪽에다 해 볼까 했지만 약수 샘을 빛내기 위해서 중앙에 샘을 만들고 싶었고,
또 물줄기가 직선으로 오니 그대로 중앙에 샘을 만들고 싶었다.
그런데 그 제자가
“그렇게 하면 겨울에 사람들이 잔디밭에서 스키 탈 때 걸리잖아요.” 했다.
그 말을 듣고 ‘한 가지 스키 탈 때는 걸리겠지.’ 생각했다.
이때 옆에서 일하던 제자들이
“야. 선생님이 알아서 하는 일인데, 네가 뭘 또 이야기하고 그래?
앞산 생각 안 나냐? 그때 네가 시킨 일 안 해서 무너졌잖아? 저리로 가.” 했다.
나는 아무런 책망을 하지 않고 “같이 일하게 둬라.” 했다.
사실 그가 전에 했던 것을 생각하면 그 말을 듣고 싶지 않았다.
하지만 약수 샘 작업을 하는 데 있어서는 더 나은 생각을 했으니, 그 말을 받아들였다.
‘성자는 항상 더 많이 아는 자를 통해서 행하신다.’ 생각하고,
그의 생각을 성자의 생각으로 받아들였다.
그래서 이미 잔디밭 하단 중앙에 작업하다가 즉시 지금 약수 샘 위치로 옮겨서 작업했다.
성자는 “산 밑에 샘이 있으니 자연스럽고 어우러져 조화롭지 않느냐. 내가 그를 통해서 한 말이다.” 하셨다.
다 만들어 놓으니 역시 그 자리가 명당이었다.
만일 약수 샘을 잔디밭 하단 중앙에다 만들어 놨다면, 스키 탈 때 걸리는 문제는 빙산의 일각이었다.
청중 집회를 할 때마다 늘 걸리는 약수 샘이 될 뻔했다.
일을 하다 보면, 항상 장단점이 있다. 그중에서 더 좋은 것을 하는 것이다.
자기 생각을 무(無)에다 놓고, 전체를 생각하고 행하여라.
어떤 한 제자가 지난날 실수했으나, 그것만 생각하면 의식되어 그를 다른 데 쓰지 못한다.
하늘의 뜻이 있어서 거기 함께한 자인데, 그를 전체의 문제아로 보면 안 된다.
그를 썼더니, 성자는 그를 통해서 그 센터의 일을 하셨다.
-2013년 3월 26일 새벽 잠언 중에서-