(written a couple of weeks ago)
So I’m sitting here in a Gyoza and ramen shop and waiting for my 12 gyoza, rice, soup and pickled veggies to be cooked and served.
I brought my computer here to begin typing out what I feel I am going through at the moment in various aspects of my life here in Japan.
It started snowing this morning, and I was like “hmmm...there you go.” Though actually I found out that it was snowing due to reading an email where a friend noted how it was now snowing in Tokyo...I pulled back my blue curtain and saw the white snow covering large patches of grass...haha...the world we live in!
My gyoza has arrived...so I’ ll start eating it, and then get back to this blog.
picture from http://www.foodjunkiechronicles.com
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yummm...oishkatta yo!!
So, now that my stomach is partially full, I shall continue...
(I say partially because there may be another trip to a different shop...specializing in Ramen and Tsukemen noodles...pretty much just across the street)
Last night was actually quite an invaluable night in that whilst spending time in prayer, worship and sharing with some brothers in Christ in my new home town, I could feel God was softening my heart and teaching me about the humility required in being part of and leading/serving in a relatively new church.
It was as though my eyes were opened up to the different dynamics of serving where there is more responsibility with a team of leaders feeling the call to “feed Jesus’ sheep”. My pride seemed to be further uncovered and felt in contrast to the softening that occurred during our discussions last night.
Of late in my life there has been an increased awareness of the various teachings in the “Christian world” which though having many appealing points, at times seem to contradict or oppose each another. I found myself questioning my beliefs on certain matters of my faith experiences. Though at times confused, I felt that it was indeed an important time.
In the end the question I asked myself regarding all of these teachings was this: “what do all of these teachings and christians have in common?”...the answer was and is Jesus.
So that was a healthy wake up call to focus on the core of my faith and my life...Jesus.
Over the past couple of weeks I have begun to read the bible recognizing the importance of myself discovering truths, rather than a reliance on other people whom I trust, or simply those who are very convincing in their delivery. During this time, I have found the voice and words of Jesus very comforting and at the same time surprising. Jesus I am finding says things that only he could say. “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life”, and “no one comes to the father except through the son”, the list goes on.
At the end of the day, I want to see God’s kingdom come, just as Jesus intended it to. I am free to confess my weaknesses...yes, even as a person who is saved by grace. As I confess my sin and areas of weakness, God is then able to reveal himself to me and those around me.
There is no need to hide, whether prior to salvation through Christ, or after. With the focus heavily on leaders and pastors within churches we are learning here that more and more, Jesus is desiring for the leaders to be transparent with God and with people, confessing their weaknesses and sin, and continuing to point people to God, point people to Jesus...who is the perfect one. If leaders don’t have the heart to serve God and His people, then they are not...we are not...God’s chosen leaders.
We desire and try all to often (even myself right now as I type) to draw attention to ourselves to receive glory and edification from one another...and though encouragement isn’t bad in and of itself...the state of our hearts and pride give way to ourselves preventing God from receiving the glory that He deserves...why? because we stand in the way...soaking up what was, is, and always will be intended for him.
A message in itself, whether from the word, or divine revelation in and of itself may not get “the job done”. I feel that we here at Cornerstone Tokyo are coming to a greater realization of the need as believers for the Father to give us here in Japan an outpouring of the power of the Holy Spirit. As believers we are sealed with the Holy Spirit upon our faith in Jesus, but the baptism and power of the Holy Spirit which the world so desperately needs is something we believe we need to ask for, seek, and knock on God’s door for.
May God correct our mistakes and the direction in which we walk...but for God to truly receive glory in this world...it has to not only be our own faith...and our own power that does the will of God...but God’s power and Spirit himself.
Even as followers of Christ...we must seek to see Jesus receive glory and not ourselves. I don’t believe this to be false humility...because to walk in that (“false” humility) we must first understand what true humility is...and I at least speak for myself when I say this, but I don’t think we truly understand the meaning of this true humility yet...and as such let’s pray that we would come to understand and walk in true humility as sons and daughters, servants, and friends of God...
Glory to your name Jesus.
