Life is good.
Life is really good.
But Life is even better with Jesus.
It's often, I find, I cannot find words to express myself properly. Language challenges do add complexities to this... How good life has been with Him is indescribable for me. His love is written all over my life.
It seems almost the instant that I want to give up...
His love comes blazing through like new sunlight.
His love is Constant. Unchanging. Sacrificial. Generous. Gentle. Supportive. Extravagant.
Some stories must be told and THIS IS one of them.
I was recently in Tokyo again for several reasons...
An engagement. Two birthdays. A bon voyage. An anniversary... and little did I know,
New Love.
Celebrations were definitely in order!!!
I privately thought also it was to be a much needed fun and respite from my mostly "full-on" days in Miyagi. But my self centeredness was quickly ablated; almost immediately, when joined with friends for what was about to be one of the most epic weekends in history here in Japan.
It is not often that deep discussions about Jesus Christ are genuinely welcomed when amongst Japanese. But this was not such the case Saturday night.
There was about 10 of us staying at Yoshi's place, two of which had just gotten engaged several hours ago. This sparked many questions. "What??? They arent going to a hotel tonight? What??? They dont have sex??" Jaws dropped. Nearly speechless to hear that they had not kissed either was not only puzzling but almost hard for them to believe. As Christians we explained, " we are to honor God with all that we are and do as an expression of Love and Adoration." They all said, " Wow, we want love like that. We want what you have".
As the conversation deepened.. several were able to share their testimonies.
While feeling bummed I couldnt share this Love in my heart too... I silently prayed for each... for the words to fall on their ears like poetry, and the spirit of such love to invade their hearts so fiercely they would seek more.
Its true... it happened!
Michelle and I had planned to head to worship the next morning and invited the others.
Both Reiji and Eri wanted to come too.
It was the first time for both.
The message was in both Japanese and English...
and was exactly what had come up in conversation the night before.
Honoring God: with your heart, your mind, your body, and your resources.
Jokes quickly develop amongst all of us when we're together and this trip was no exception.
"This is a ---....!!!", was a frequent statement exclaimed through out the weekend in lighthearted efforts to shorten the language gaps.
At one point saturday night someone said ( with regard to our discussion)...
"This is Love".
It stuck.
The next morning... the closing song was,
"This is Love"!!!
As the weekend was quickly approaching its close... some rather unexpectingly. We arrived at one train station just in time to run on. Quickly hugging we say good bye and as the doors close... I see Reiji still standing on the platform. "What... that was goodbye"? Oh...how this is the story of my life! haha
But this weekend left all of us a little different. I could see how this Love had worked its way in to his heart as we all pasted our faces to the window. I have the sense God is going to do something really special through his life... he just doesn't know it yet. haha.
Eri returned to worship that afternoon with the newly engaged friends. She senses God is calling her.
You see, a love this extraordinary compels us. All of us... at His feet.
I am reminded of the story of the woman who had a bleeding disorder for nearly 12 years. Having suffered a great amount and without recovery...she encounters Jesus passing through a large crowd and she reaches for His cloak trying desperately to touch Him. Immediately she is healed. She throws herself at His feet, upon recognizing the truth of what had happened to her. Its evident through this woman that no matter how hopeless the situation seems, believing in and finding such Love brings true freedom, healing and joy.
Still what I say of God and love is incomplete,
but no matter what I say, no matter what I do... I am bankrupt without it in my life.
These stories aren't finished.... but I am certainly left in great anticipation.
I am asked by nearly every Japanese here, " Why did you come here"?
This is why I am here.... to see Love overcome and save lives.
