Beginnings and...?

Walking through the streets of Japan (Shinkoiwa to be exact), I can't help but notice the prevalence of culture. They say America is the land of many cultures, a melting pot of all sorts of people. I say America is a land that has many cultures and in its greed to fully embrace it all, has lost culture.

Here in Japan, where there is one predominant people group (the Japanese...duh...) culture and its effects are seen and felt in its full force. There is a lifestyle here of constant movement, of doing. Yet even in all the bustle, there is a culture of eerie peace, because it is a non-intrusive bustle. A "you do what you have to do and i'll do what i have to do" kind of mindset that sets people off to themselves. And in that sense, it's kind of intimidating.

I had small group with some Japanese church members today and they were sharing just how this dominant culture really intimidates the Japanese Christians to really speak out on their faith in fear of being judged; in stepping out of the boundaries of mutual respect and treading into the territories of infringement; of imposing ones ideas on another.

And so, there really is an understanding of stepping out in boldness for Christ here because the dichotomy between living for Christ and everything else thats not living for Christ is so blatant. Because stepping out for Christ is also stepping on the boundaries of culture.

But that's exactly what Christ taught his disciples to do. To be emboldened to the point that they must hate their mother or father in perspective to the amount they love Christ.

I share my testimony in sunday service tomorrow and go to my school campus on monday. Please join me in prayer as I strive to be above conformity and even culture, seeking as Christ taught us how to seek.

owari~

P.S. please feed my turtles