Japan is Not a Right Destination. Oh, It is!

Some of you might have known it that I would be off to Japan for a semester exchange. As I have had my application approved by Hyogo university, I have to be ready to live there. It’s not that long. but as to language, culture difference, anything, I should be ready to make sure I wouldn’t be homesick like my trip last time.

I am going to Japan. I am going to the country where the largest unreached community on earth reside in (check this website ). Some friends concern how my spiritual life is while in Japan as they know that there will be very few number of churches there. Well, honestly it was scary in terms of the church availability there, but surely I know I have to face this challenge.

What would you think of Japan when you first heard about it? A high-tech modern country? A land where Hello Kitty originally comes from? A civilized society with a distinctive culture? Catchy looking Harajuku girls? Nerdy looking otaku?

You may think all of them but you won’t definitely mention that they are religious, or simply that they know Christ. As you might know, majority Japanese adhere to Buddhism or Shinto. Others have no religion.

Japan is my next destination. It’s definitely not a place where you see many churches growing. Not Korea! It’s not a place where you can tour to some holy sites where Jesus’ teaching is believed to take place. Not Israel either! It’s not a place where an inspiring and life-changing conference is being held. Not Sydney!

I don’t even think that I will be exposed to much ‘provided’ spiritual food. You know what I mean, you attend church and you hear God’s word. You have a cell group that will give advice to your problem. You get your cell group leader pray for you (and be responsible for your spiritual growth). You have your church friend send a regular SMS on daily devotional. You have a plenty resources, don’t you?

Really… I can’t even think about all of this privilege while in Japan. I still wish, I pray, that there would be a strong community like my current church, but if there isn’t any..oh well, too bad, I don’t think Japan is a right destination if you expect to grow spiritually in that situation.

I don’t know how I should put my thought. I do believe that we can grow in any season. Regardless all of those facts about Japan, there isn’t any season when I cannot grow spiritually. Time is short. Lord doesn’t think that I’d better have a little ‘break’ in my journey to know Him better. I don’t think so.

Honestly, this is what I feel and believe… I am really stepping out of my comfort zone. In that season, I guess I might not see the church role model I often see here. I might feel isolated as well. I might feel God is far from me. I don’t know. They are all just my guessing. But there is one thing that I am committed to do while in Japan. I will seek God earnestly regardless any situations I am in.

After all, if I am allowed to go there, there must be work to do.

Oh yes, Japan is a right destination!

~ by annice on February 2, 2009.