John 20:31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

When John 20 is one of my favorite chapters in the Bible, it’s pretty difficult to choose one verse to write on! However, John is here expressing what is essentially my motivation for publishing a blog, and really the motivation for most of what I do. I have been asked numbers of times why I am a pastor in Japan. The motivation behind the question has been varied, with some people antagonistic to the very idea of “pushing Christianity on the Japanese,” some people not understanding a life choice that doesn’t lead to much money, and some people knowing that Japan has the reputation of being a “graveyard for missionaries,” because of the very low rate of response. To all of these my answer is much the same. Like the early disciples, I cannot help but speak of what I have seen and heard of my Lord Jesus, (Acts 4:20) not physically but in my spirit. When I have encountered such a gracious Lord who offers such a magnificent salvation, I would be terribly ungrateful and stingy not to share all I can with others. Financial gain is entirely beside the point! As to why Japan, I can only say that God has given me a love for the land where I was born that keeps me here in spite of the disappointments. I have learned that He is the Lord of the harvest, and my part is to be faithful in plowing, planting, and watering, rejoicing when He allows me to partake of the fruit. Yes, I would like to see massive numbers. Yes, life would be easier if this church were large enough to pay me a real salary. Yes, I want to see the kingdom of God established in the hearts and minds of the Japanese. However, I cannot bring any of those things to pass by my own efforts alone. God will use me in the process, but I am entirely secondary, or less. My place is to be as open and transparent as possible, so that Jesus may be seen, experienced, and believed, for the salvation of many and for His glory.

Father, thank You for this reminder. It helps to put it into writing! Help me be true to what I have just written, because I know too well I am not reliable in myself. Thank You for each opportunity You give me to share Your truth with others. Thank You for the young man yesterday, and for the necessary wisdom and guidance to deal with him. Thank You for my school classes that are starting up this week, and for the opportunity to represent Christ to my students. I do ask for a harvest from among them, even this year. I pray that my every contact with people, under whatever circumstances, would point them, draw them to Christ, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!