“Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together.” Psalm 34:3

We had not been in Japan very long before we soon came to understand that Japanese place a high value on doing things together. This concept of togetherness manifests itself in many forms and it is drilled into behavioral patterns from early childhood. The Japanese term often used to describe this value is isshoni (一緒に), which means basically, “together” or “at the same time.” However, isshoni goes much deeper than the West’s typical concept of teamwork, which promotes the idea of togetherness primarily as a means to a desired end. In Japan, isshoni is considered an objective in itself, where togetherness is almost always preferred over doing things alone or in isolation. The general propensity in the West is to tackle problems and seek solutions as individuals. This independence from others theoretically sets a person free from group entanglements that might otherwise hold them back from reaching their desired goals. But in contrast, Japan views the process of isshoni as a necessary process for identifying and achieving lasting objectives.

With this overall purpose in mind, children are frequently clumped together into groups called “gumi” for sports, clubs, activities and various projects, which in turn encourages everyone to perceive their identity as a member of a particular group. As these children steadily advance toward adulthood, the concept of isshoni continues to play a vital role in business structures, various social routines, neighborhood activities and even leisure times. However, the steady erosion of the extended family in Japan has had the opposite effect as it promotes increased isolation and a marked departure from the traditions of isshoni. Therefore, to strengthen the moral fabric of the nation, the Japanese government actively promotes policies that enhance isshoni activities among families and communities. One example of this is the popular and publicly sponsored children’s TV program aptly titled “Okaasan to Issho” (Together with My Mom) that my wife and daughter were invited to join on one memorable occasion when the show was filmed locally.  

When I was given the opportunity to preach my first sermon many years ago, I spoke from Psalm 133, which starts out, “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity.” That particular passage powerfully spoke to me in my younger days and continues to impact my life after many years of ministry. As a relatively young believer when I prepared that initial sermon, I realized that I had been positively influenced by my Christian college community and the many godly members of a new church plant I attended. Collectively, the people God had graciously placed into my life played a critical role in shaping my values, ministry skills and personal choices that remain with me to this day. Unknown to me, many of the higher aspects of isshoni were imprinted on my heart even then as part of God’s redemptive and sanctifying work in my life. As God exists in a Trinitarian relationship, it should come as no surprise that He graciously uses community to accomplish His purposes in us and through us. God is an Isshoni God and isshoni we serve His purposes together. Isshoni may not be an end in itself, but it is certainly instrumental in facilitating our true goal, which is to “exalt his name together.” (Psalm 34:3)