Paper Drivers

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works…” Ephesians 2:10a

On the morning of my 16^th birthday, I was first in line to take my driver’s license test, but promptly failed my initial attempt. Eager to gain my freedom through driving, I returned the following day and this time managed to bring home the coveted prize. Obtaining a driver’s license was viewed as a major step towards adulthood, almost like a rite of passage. The Japanese, however, seem to be much more ambivalent about achieving this goal. In fact, many who have obtained their driver’s license don’t even use it. In Japan, they are called “paper drivers” (ペーパードライバー), indicating that although they possess the paperwork certifying their right to drive, they choose not to exercise it.

When we first heard of this phenomenon, it struck us as rather odd, particularly in light of the time, expense and effort required to obtain such a license in Japan. But as we settled more deeply into the Japanese culture, we realized there are many reasons why some people may elect not drive, despite being authorized to do so. For example, many Japanese, especially those living in urban areas, simply do not need to drive due to the availability of efficient and economical public transportation systems. In space-starved areas (of which there are many), parking is also very pricey, so this can further discourage car ownership. These are significant factors, but perhaps the main reason for becoming a paper driver is a matter of confidence, or lack of it. Venturing out on crowded, narrow roads is not for the faint of heart, especially when alternative modes of transportation are readily available.

When we gaze across the church landscape around the world, it seems that the same phenomenon, in a different form, exists in many churches. Sadly enough, many believers dutifully report at their appointed time Sunday after Sunday, but neglect to exercise their full calling and privileges as the redeemed people of God. They are what we might call “paper Christians.” They have a license to drive, but they choose not to. Although they were created to fulfill the purposes of God, they lead measured lives, refusing to venture out and trust God for whatever lies ahead. In this regard, there is a “paper driver” in all of us, but we must resist our natural inclination to live primarily for ourselves. Instead, we were created to do good works. While there may be many valid reasons for not driving a car in Japan, we are entrusted with all the authority and power we need to fully accomplish God’s purposes on earth. We walk, and drive, by faith.

Scattered Petals

“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” Ecclesiastes 3:11

cherry blossoms 6

The normally clear, flowing stream below me was covered with a carpet of freshly fallen cherry blossoms slowly making their way downstream. While maintaining my perch on an ancient footbridge, I raised my gaze to an equally mesmerizing random cascade of petals falling from the trees lining the water’s edge. The incredibly beautiful blossoms from only a week ago were now quickly scattering like snowflakes in the wind, affirming once again the brevity and fragility of all things. Thoughts on life, death and renewal seemed to disperse to the edges of my mind like the scattered petals all around me.

The cherry blossom is the unofficial national flower of Japan; it permeates art, poetry and the national consciousness of the Japanese people on various levels. Called “sakura” (桜) in Japanese, this delicate flower explodes upon the landscape every spring throughout Japan. Its greatly anticipated arrival is celebrated as the cherry blossoms begin to bloom in the southernmost parts of Japan in mid-March and usually complete their annual cycle around early May in the northern prefecture of Hokkaido. The advent of the sakura is a major news event and thousands flock across Japan to nearby parks to picnic (called “hanami”) under these gorgeous trees. There they revel in the temporal beauty of cherry blossoms representing the renewed glories of spring.

The author of Ecclesiastes likewise marveled at the beauty of creation and in so doing his thoughts were drawn beyond himself to the Creator of all things. It is typically not easy to move from the shallow things of life to deeper, eternal thoughts, as so much seems to get in the way. Therefore, to assist us in this all important journey, God has endowed the world around us with visible reminders of His presence and benevolent care. Such displays are worth celebrating and reflecting upon as they have the power to draw us away from the mundane, or routines of this life, to the greater things of God. As God has placed eternity in our hearts, the beauty of this created world beckons us to slow down and meditate on His existence.

Toilet Technology

“…they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.” Genesis 3:7b

Toilet 4

Japan had a problem, so researchers and innovators solved it in a uniquely Japanese way—they invented the Otohime (Sound Princess) toilet accessory. Back in the 1980s, Japanese environmentalists were alarmed when they discovered that women across the country were wasting water in public restrooms by flushing the toilet multiple times in order to mask bodily noises. Initially, an education campaign to save on water was launched to solve this problem, but it had minimal impact. In response to this crisis, Toto, a major Japanese toilet manufacturer, developed a toilet noise masker, which helped women preserve their dignity and the country to conserve water. These simple electronic devices were initially mounted in bathroom stalls where the occupant could easily activate it by simply pressing a button, producing the equivalent sound of a flushing toilet. Soon, pocket-sized versions were sold that could be taken anywhere, which are now being replaced by a phone app that serves the same purpose.

This is only one example of how Japan remains on the cutting edge of toilet technology as the traditional “squatty potty,” once commonly used throughout the country, heads towards extinction and gives way to the multi-faceted “washlet toilet.” These modern bathroom marvels exhibit several functions, ranging from seat warmer, pulsating water jets for bidet and posterior wash, automatic lid opening, automatic flushing and a blow dryer. Some versions even play relaxing music for the user. It is predicted that more advanced models will soon include medical sensors that will be able to measure blood sugar, pulse, blood pressure and even the body fat of those sitting upon them. Talking toilets that greet the occupant and accept verbal commands are also in the development stage. Fortunately, most buttons on these ceramic wonders are now identified by pictograms, as earlier Japanese only models led to some rather comical situations for foreigners unable to decipher the instructions.

While we may admire such technology that deals with unpleasant situations, it certainly has its limits. Like Adam and Eve who vainly tried to hide their disobedience to God through makeshift clothing, all attempts to cover our sins before our Maker are comparable to a toilet noise masker. He is not deceived by what goes on behind the closed doors of our lives while we make futile efforts to preserve or promote a false virtuosity to others. Improved technology can certainly help prevent the wasting of water, but only full obedience and an open heart to the things of God can avert the wasting of our lives.

An Uncluttered Life

“Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” Hebrews 12:1b

Clutter

The United States and many other countries have a problem, so a diminutive, young Japanese woman is ready to help. Her name is Marie Kondo and she is an expert in assisting people to declutter their lives. She recently rocketed to fame through her popular book, “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up” and is now recognized worldwide as an organizing consultant. In countless seminars, and now through a Netflix TV series, Ms. Kondo preaches that if one tidies their personal space, it will transform their life. She explains that her philosophy of organization is partly inspired by the Japanese Shinto religion, with its emphasis on purity and cleanliness.

Popularly called the “KonMari” method, Marie Kondo’s approach to decluttering basically consists of gathering all of one’s possessions, one category at a time, and keeping only the items that “spark joy” in the owner. The items that remain are then neatly organized in a system to help maintain an uncluttered lifestyle. However, I must confess that my understanding of this methodology is still incomplete because most men, like myself, probably have a few old T-shirts that bring them “joy”, but such items likely spark different feelings from their wives! Perhaps Marie has an answer for this marital dilemma somewhere within the pages of her book.

Some popular US TV reality shows, particularly Hoarders, offer a revealing glimpse into the psychological depth and physical extremes a cluttered lifestyle can reach if left unchecked. But such extremes do not discount the real need for the majority of us to rid our lives of unneeded possessions that steadily fill our closets, drawers, garages and even rented storage units. While this appears to be an escalating problem in affluent countries, the greater need for decluttering occurs on a spiritual level and is common to all cultures. Left unchecked, overt sin, materialism, worry, jealousy, bitterness, anger and a host of other heart issues can dominate our lives, weigh us down and prevent us from running our spiritual race well, as the author of Hebrews points out.

Jesus warned His followers often about the danger of a life focused on possessions or anything else that could potentially distract us from our heavenly calling to pursue God and the things He values (Matthew 6:19-34). Marie Kondo likes to say “Tidy your space, transform your life,” which is certainly true on a limited, physical level. However, eternal, life-changing transformation, is a work of God that goes hand in hand with a heart set on accruing eternal treasure.

For more information on Marie Kondo, check out the following trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvyeapVBLWY

Snow Country

“Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.” Psalm51:7b

When we experienced our first major snowfall in northern Japan as new missionaries, we took lots of pictures and videos thinking, “This is a lot of snow!” However, with each successive snowfall over the following months and many rolls of film later, we finally grasped what a “lot of snow” really was. As a snow country novice raised in Texas, I was clueless. We had been forewarned about what to expect by our senior colleagues, but that was no substitute for actually experiencing firsthand drastic winter conditions. Over twenty feet of snow per year is a LOT of snow.

Northern Japan actually boasts of having the top two snowiest cities in the world, Aomori City and Sapporo, the later in which we resided for many years. The major city of Sapporo spends almost 200 million dollars every winter for snow removal as it struggles to keep 3,355 miles of public roads and sidewalks clear for vehicles and pedestrians. Gigantic snow removal machines prowl the city streets at night like nocturnal animals carving out tunnels as they battle the icy elements. Over the course of winter, enormous snow mountains several stories high begin to emerge throughout the city in the form of ancient ziggurats, standing as dramatic monuments to the challenges of winter weather.

Individuals are armed with their own weapons for winter warfare, which are conveniently sold in most stores. These would include snow shovels in various sizes and colors, snow blowers, and the so called “mama dump,” which is a large two-handed scoop used for hauling away the unwanted snow. Many houses now come with heated parking spaces, eliminating the need for snow removal; snow melting machines are also quite common. These innovations are quite useful since places to dump all the white stuff are scarce and highly contested. Families are keen to live next door to local parks where their kids can play, but these locations are also highly coveted as a dumping ground by veteran snow removers. Playground equipment soon disappears, eventually reemerging in the spring.

One important lesson we learned early in our snow removal career was to ALWAYS leave one’s snow shovel standing upright in the snow to avoid losing it during the next blizzard. The same principle applies to anything of value, as it will quickly disappear in an unexpected snowstorm and will likely remain lost until the spring, when the accumulated snow finally recedes.

Like objects hidden in the snow, the most blatant and ugliest of sins can be hidden from public view. Certainly no one but God knows the depravity of our hearts. Fresh snowfalls may cover a multitude of eyesores, but they eventually melt away revealing the unsightly reality that often lays beneath. This is why the Psalmist prays not to have his sins covered by snow, but to be white like snow. There is a huge difference between these two approaches. True repentance and holy living is not just a cover up or denial of past misdeeds, but rather, a complete forgiveness based upon the amazing power of the cross. While men can remove snow, only God can remove sin.

Obligatory Chocolate

“I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish.” Romans 1:14

Valentines3

A beautiful arrangement of various chocolates greeted me as I walked into the store, reminding me that Valentine’s Day was right around the corner. If you thought romance was in the air, you would be entirely mistaken. What was on display is actually known as “giri choco” (義理チョコ), which means literally “obligation chocolate.” This chocolate is normally purchased by women and given to their male colleagues, casual acquaintances and others as an expression of their friendship or gratitude. Romantic feelings have nothing to do with it. Giri choco is customarily given by women to the men in their life circles to help them feel appreciated during the nation-wide celebration. But there is another sub-category called “cho-giri choco” meaning “ultra-obligation chocolate.” This is given to certain men solely out of duty because you feel trapped by social circumstances to include them.

It is important to note that giri choco is not to be confused with “honmei choco” (本命チョコ), which is “true feeling chocolate” and is normally given to husbands, boyfriends or even prospective boyfriends. Honmei choco is traditionally a higher grade of chocolate that often comes in special shapes, arranged artistically in ornate confectionary boxes and is considerably more expensive.

The subtle differences between these two types of chocolates helps the recipient to avoid getting his signals crossed and misinterpreting the giver’s intent. While men are the primary recipients of chocolate in Japan on Valentine’s Day, they are certainly not off the hook. In order to sell more chocolate, the National Confectionary Association cleverly designated March 14 as “White Day,” when men must reciprocate by giving chocolate (often white chocolate), cookies, flowers or other small gifts to the women who gave them chocolate exactly one month earlier. Obligation flows in both directions; no one escapes.

“Giri” is a very important value among the Japanese, although it can at times feel oppressive and has even been described as the “burden hardest to bear.” Obligation is certainly a lower form of motivation, but there are good and bad aspects to it that should not be confused. An example of obligation as a good thing can be found in the Bible, when the Apostle Paul gladly accepted the obligation to preach the gospel to others, not viewing it as a burden, but rather as an incredible privilege (Romans 1:15-17). But sometimes even the noblest forms of obligation can subtly morph into patterns of legalism and undermine the very freedoms Jesus purchased on the cross at great cost to Himself. The fine line separating freedom and obligation can at times be hard to discern, but God has provided His Spirit to help us distinguish these matters so that we might offer up our best to Him. After all, Jesus did not enter our world to redeem us because of obligation, but rather, out of love. That is a gift worth celebrating and imitating.

Superheroes

“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:14

Godzilla & Ultraman In 1954, Godzilla emerged ferociously from the depths of the ocean, paving the way for other monsters, known as “kaijū” (怪獣), who seemed to be oddly obsessed with destroying downtown Tokyo. Pronounced in Japanese as “Gojira,” this famous cinematic creature actually gets his name from combining the Japanese words for gorilla (gorira) and whale (kujira), representing his unique size, power and aquatic origin. Following in the path of Godzilla, other kaijū have routinely made their way to the shores of Japan to wreak havoc as well.

To combat these monsters, super villains, and aliens bent on mass destruction, a steady stream of superheroes was invented to rescue the terrorized masses in Japan. In so doing, a whole new entertainment industry came into being creating hordes of fans worldwide. Millions of plastic toys representing both good guy and bad guy genres, were also sold with several populating our own toy box. Ultraman and his pals, known as the Ultra Crusaders, were among the first in a long line of superheroes called upon to save Earth, making their first appearance in 1966. Each Ultra Crusader possessed specific super powers used to protect the planet and fight the perpetrators of evil. However, these particular superheroes had their limitations as they could only stay on Earth for a few minutes before their solar powered energy was used up, forcing them to return to space to recharge.

The Ultra Crusaders were later assisted in this never ending task by a series of other superheroes such as the Power Rangers (known initially as the “Super Sentai”), Sailor Moon and her teenage girl gang, Transformer action figures, and the Kamen Riders, who had insect-like heads and battled the bad guys from motorcycles. Astro Boy, a powerful android with human emotions in the shape of a boy, actually outdates them all as he initially got his start as a comic book hero in 1952. Astro Boy is now remembered not just for his impeccable resume in fighting evil, but he is also credited for launching the huge anime and manga industry that exists today.

Even in a world without such fanciful monsters, it is not uncommon to look for a hero of some sort to save us from whatever crisis we may be currently facing. Like the terrorized masses of Tokyo fleeing the path of the latest kaijū bent on destruction, we realize we are helpless to solve our problems or achieve security without the assistance of Someone greater than ourselves. We need a superhero. We need someone who will fight for us. Similar to the panic stricken Israelites who were trapped between the Red Sea and the army of Pharaoh seeking their destruction, we cry out for someone to intervene on our behalf. However, such help does not come in the form of a fictional superhero who must pause to recharge his batteries or deal with other limitations. Instead, we have the Almighty God, the Maker Heaven and Earth, fighting on our behalf and victory is already assured. The only required response from us is “to be still” and trust Him.

Hidden Art

“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:9

rice paddy art

The gathered crowd responded with amazement when they reached the top of the viewing platform and looked down. Once formerly hidden from their view on ground level, everyone could now see a massive work of art beautifully laid out in the midst of what initially appeared to be an ordinary rice paddy. As the spectators gazed with wonder, they were dutifully informed that in previous months, local farmers, townspeople and students had worked hard to produce the masterpiece now spread before them based on that year’s chosen theme. A simple rice paddy had become an art canvas and it pulled in thousands of visitors every year to this small rural village.

Rice field art, known as “tambo art” in Japanese, was initiated in 1993 by the villagers of Inakadate, located in Aomori Prefecture, as a means to revitalize their local economy by attracting tourists. Using rice seedlings of varying color in a designated rice field, the town folk have created incredible pictures which evolved in scale and complexity as their skills steadily improved with each passing year. Themes from past productions represent a wide variety of genres, ranging from Japanese folklore characters, iconic places, famous people and popular movies. The artwork can only be seen from an elevated observation deck cleverly constructed to imitate a castle tower. Every year over 100,000 visitors travel off the beaten pathway to take in this unusual sight.

Unless the artwork is pointed out to them, out of town travelers passing by on nearby roads are oblivious to its existence as the pictures can only be seen from a higher perspective. In the spiritual realm, the same is true in everyday life as events can easily pass by on a seemingly endless continuum where one seldom catches a glimpse of their possible eternal significance. As flesh and blood creatures, our perspective is often limited to what we can actually see and experience in the world around us, but the Creator of the Universe knows no such limitations. His ways, purposes and actions may remain hidden from our sight, but we are promised that one day, equipped with a heavenly perspective, all these things will be revealed to us. Until we ascend that elevated platform where we gain a better view, we are called to live by faith, trusting God’s masterful handiwork in the midst of what we do not presently understand.

Go to the link Japanese Rice Paddy Art to learn more about the phenomenon of tambo art and be sure to check out the embedded video for a short history lesson.

Sleeping on Trains

“In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.” Psalm 4:8

men-sleeping-on-train

As I made my way across Tokyo to my destination, I quietly congratulated myself for securing a seat on a very crowded commuter train. However, I soon had misgivings about my good fortune when a stranger’s head awkwardly started to nestle on my right shoulder and the passenger slumped on my left began to snore. Momentarily trapped by my weary traveling companions, I studied the other passengers on the train. Approximately half of them were in a semi-comatose state and the others, while awake, were equally detached from life around them as they silently focused on their mobile devices. For a moment, it felt like I had mistakenly boarded a zombie train in an apocalyptic world and I would soon become one of them!

This scenario is actually quite common in Japan, which explains why it is often described as a nation of sleep deprived people. Multiple surveys confirm this assessment, revealing that Japanese workers average only six hours and 22 minutes of sleep on work nights—the lowest in any industrial nation. Therefore, it is not unusual to see people taking catnaps in cars, restaurants, public transportation, classrooms and park benches as they try to catch a few moments of rest so they can press on with the unrelenting demands of life. The Japanese word for “nap” is 居眠り(inemuri) which means literally “sleeping while present,” a description that underscores one’s ongoing attempt to engage with life while at the same time momentarily checking out. Such napping is often considered a sign of diligence in Japan and is quietly accepted by employers and fellow citizens as an unavoidable fact of life. This propensity to sleeping in opportune moments on trains can create comical scenes often posted on social media. Many have even mastered the art of sleeping while in a standing position and almost everyone seems to intuitively know when to stir from their slumber as their stop approaches.

Obviously, continued sleep deprivation is not a healthy habit for anyone, but sometimes it is unavoidable due to the demands of family, health issues or work responsibilities. Some of these elements are beyond our control and can lead to chronic sleeplessness. However, there is often a spiritual aspect to this problem that we should keep in mind. That’s why we must frequently remind ourselves that God reigns supreme in the affairs of our lives so we should learn to rest in Him. Framed in these terms, sleep becomes almost a spiritual exercise as once again we place our burdens of the day and worries for tomorrow in the hands of a loving, all powerful God. That can lead to true rest.

Safety First!

“The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” safety first Psalm 18:2

安全第一, meaning “Safety First,” is a sign commonly posted near construction sites and other locations where accidents could possibly occur. To make safety a priority in these areas, a small army of traffic directors are regularly employed throughout Japan to help drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians safely navigate around potential hazards. Since Japan is also a land frequented by natural disasters, emergency drills are routinely conducted to guide people in their response in the event of an earthquake, tsunami, typhoon, landslide or volcanic eruption. Evacuation routes and emergency shelters are clearly identified in every city and roles are assigned to minimize the loss of life when there is an emergency. To increase public awareness of such matters, September 1 is designated as Japan’s Disaster Prevention Day (防災の日). On that day, emergency drills are practiced across the country in memory of the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923, when over 100,000 residents in the Greater Tokyo area perished.

Despite this propensity towards natural disasters, Japan is surprisingly acknowledged to be one of the safest countries in the world, largely due to its diligent efforts to promote safety. Currently, only New Zealand and Iceland rank higher as “safe” destinations for tourists. This focus on safety is to be commended, particularly for those living in Japan, but the pursuit of safety to the exclusion of other worthy goals can possibly invite dangers of a different sort. For example, Japan also has a reputation as being a risk averse society, where any danger or possible unwanted results are avoided at all costs. While such an approach to life is certainly understandable, it can foster an unhealthy imbalance and lead to consequences that are equally unsatisfactory.

As Christians, we are called to live somewhere in the middle as we flesh out life on a daily basis. Unfortunately, there are no guaranteed outcomes when it comes to such matters as raising children, standing against the tide of a self-centered culture or sharing one’s faith in an ungodly world. Our natural inclination is to seek safety and security, but God has not promised such things to us in this life. Instead, we are called to walk by faith in a world fraught with dangers and uncontrollable results. While we must take reasonable measures to protect ourselves from undue harm, our safety, reputations, families and jobs are ultimately in God’s hands. He is our Rock, our Fortress, our Refuge and our Shield. We would be unwise to place our trust in anything else.