Putting God In His Place - Duk Ji Choi

1901–56

Duk Ji Choi holds the honor of being the first woman in Korea ordained as a pastor. Before she received that honor, though, she endured quite a bit.

By her early twenties, Duk Ji was both an orphan and a widow. Her parents had died when she was in her teens; her husband died early in their marriage. Deciding to dedicate her life to Christ, she attended Pyongyang Women’s Seminary in what is now North Korea.

Korea was occupied by Japan during this time, and Christians were ordered to worship the Japanese emperor. Duk Ji knew that the Ten Commandments forbid worshiping any god but the true God, so she refused to comply.

Along with others who refused, she was imprisoned and severely tortured, but she still refused to submit. She was released but arrested twice more, and both arrests involved more torture. Not only did she not give in, but she also openly worshiped God several times a day and held services in her cell.

She was not out of danger until the Japanese occupation ended. Later Duk Ji was ordained, and she preached all her life.

Chances are, you’ve never had anyone order you to worship an idol or false god and threaten you with torture if you refused. But if you think about it, idols are all around—not threatening, but enticing. It’s easy to get lulled into making something the center of your attention and giving it greater importance in your life than your relationship with God. Your job, the love of your life, your kids, a hobby—or even the smartphone in your pocket that you’re unable to live without—can become idols.

Putting these idols back in their proper places may seem like torture, but when you consider the actual torture that Duk Ji and other Christians endured to stay true to God, you may have a better perspective.

Is there something that’s been pushing God out of his proper place in your life lately?

The idols of the nations are merely things of silver and gold, shaped by human hands. They have mouths but cannot speak, and eyes but cannot see. They have ears but cannot hear, and mouths but cannot breathe. And those who make idols are just like them, as are all who trust in them.

Psalm 135:15-18