I read a book this week. Written by a Japanese man, non-christian, about japanese people….

Most interesting thing for me was this

he writes:

‘I believe that religion helps people deal with their anxieties, which come mainly from the condition of poverty. Japan has become adequately wealthy. It seems to me in Japan, there is no longer fertile soil to support religion’.

Well….what do I think? I think that in the countries where the people are poorer and less wealthy, Christianity is more readily accepted and more people come to believe in Jesus. Yes, I do see this. Christianity, GOD, does help meet the need of poverty, and gives people hope to survive through it.

The reality here in Japan: Japanese arn’t coming to Christ quickly. The land, and hearts are tough and hard and rocky!

True.

But… I also look at Japan and see a people group in desperate need of a saviour. Who despite being wealthy, and having lots of ‘things’, still arn’t satisfied with life.

People who, in general, lack hope, have trouble understanding their purpose and find it difficult to look beyond themselves.

SO… the question running through my mind is this: what need CAN Christianity meet for these people…how can we present the gospel in a way that meets the need and touches the heart of people who have all they could ever want materially, but have empty hearts?

I still dont know the answer… But i see God revealing more and more to me about these lovely people each day as I understand more of the language and life here.

I have heaps of ideas for evangelism and ministry that come to me during my dreams at night. Will God use these ideas and will they become a reality?

My prayer is this: Oh Lord many your kingdom come in Japan. Use me in whatever way you see fit. I’m yours.