The Bible

A few weeks, I came to realize that I finally read the entire Bible front to back. Pretty much everyone who has an access to this blog, are Christian. And they all grew up in a Christian community. So I'm sure most of them have read the entire Bible a few times, or at least once very early on in their life.

I finally got to finish it at the age of 23. You might wonder why I took so much time? Well, I think that's a legitimate question. I probably should've finished it a long time ago. I wish I have. But the thing is, I got a totally different childhood background compared to you. Not only, I was born and raised in Japan, but I grew up in a non-Christian community. Of course, neither of my parents were Christian. To this day, they remain non-Christian. I was exactly the same way when I was younger.

If you have a taken a theology class or two, you might have heard that, only 1% of entire Japanese population is Christian. Majority of them are atheists or Buddhists. In the fast-paced life, Japanese people do not consider much about giving up time for God. As a former resident, I know exactly how it is like, and what they go through everyday. Life in Japan is very stressful. Work, social life, family, everything over there can be very draining.

Having said that, I came to realize how blessed I am. Not only, I got to be the 1%, but I got to learn what Jesus Christ exactly have done for us. There are thousands of Japanese people end their life without knowing how awesome our God is.

In both good and bad ways, we tend to get used to things we already have: Faith, friends, and education to name a few. But the reality is, we need to appreciate God for giving us everything we have. Because outside our own small world, people may be questioning their purpose of living.

I have been a Christian for about 8 years now. And I feel slightly embarrsed that I hadn't read the entire Bible a long time ago. Although, at the same, I'm grateful that I finally came to realize how great this accomplishment is.

Tools

Ever since I can remember, I always had a book in my hand. It's probably a shocker to some of you, but I like to read. I've always have. Looking back, it was my mom that always encouraged me to read. Plus, the fact that I'm an only child played a role in finding activities that I can do alone.

My love for reading never faded away even when I came to the states. I didn't know English then, but I still tried to read. Ironic, I know. But I still tried to read.

Personally, I think you can learn so many things from books. One of my favorite authors, Tony Dungy, who was a former NFL head coach, has written several books. In one of his books, Mr Dungy mentions that everything is passionate about something. It might be sports. It might be schooling, or it might be something else. He writes that God gave us an ability to love. In other words, a passion is a gift from God. His point was that the gift can be seen as a tool. A tool is something that will make you become who you want to be. So you should fully take an advantage of that. That was his whole point.

Today, there are so many teenagers putting focus on wrong things. Some of them are legitimately good at what they do. But they always need to keep in mind that the gift is from God, and the gift can be seen a tool.

Perhaps a bit weird post, but I just needed to get this off my mind

Miracles

The first Dordt dance tonight. Everyone is out having a great time. And here I am, in my room. Sitting in front of my Mac (yes, Mac rocks) and thinking about life.

This might sound funny, but I never thought I will get this far. I never thought I will come so close to the college graduation. Sure, I have 2 more months left to go. Still, I think I can almost see the goal. I'm almost there. To be honest, I didn't even think I would pursue more education after high school. I never even thought I would finish high school. Well, not from a school in a different country for sure. But somehow I have managed to handle them.

If I were to describe my parents, there is no word better than "ordinary". My mom had some health issue after giving birth to me, so I never got to have siblings. Bummer. So I was pretty much her "only shot". Both my dad and mom had really high expectations as all parents do for their children. I never really knew why. I still don't know why. I mean, that's something parents should do. But other than that, why really?

Growing up in Japan was probably one of the most unique things about my life. I was a good student both iniside and outside the classroom. I always got good grades. I never had to try. Then, one day, I started playing sports. Mainly, basketball. It took a lot of time away from me and I slowly walked away from studying too. Not that I started disliking it, but sports were just much more enjoyable. I'm sure everyone can relate to that.

Once I got to Junior High. Everything literally fell apart. I was a decent basketball player in town but I had problems with my teammates. So I hated basketball. My grades dropped dramatically. During the 3 years of Junior High(we go to junior high for 3 years in Japan), nothing went right. I have never shared this story with anyone, and I don't think that many people will read this so I'm just gonna throw it out, but those 3 years the time I want to forget and erase more than anything.

I still don't know why I had to go through those three years. Heck, I don't know most of the things I go through in my life. I'm kind of the guy who follows instincts. Risky, I know. But it's just the way I have been living my life.

I don't know how I got here. I don't know how I know you. I don't know how I'm gonna make my plan after college.

But one thing I do know for sure, is that there is God. He is somehow leading where I should be going. Why? well, I guess that's something what he does. Because I sure don't deserve anything from him. Ironic.

God, what's next?

Pause

Hello everyone.

I was using this blog for one of my online classes

and that's why past couple posts didn't make any sense.

But now that I'm done with the class,

the blog will resume like old times.

Anyway,

it is just passed midnight and I just finished one of my assignment.

Yay, right?

Well, not really.

of course, I'm very excited that I finished the assignment, don't get me wrong.

The problem is..... actually I'm not really sure.

But there is something on my mind.

That needs to be said.

What is it? I don't know.

Let's think for a sec.

Pause.

Lately, I have come to realize how much I have grown as a Christian

since the first day I stepped on Dordt campus.

I had never lived in a Christian community till 16, the first time I came to the U.S.

I sure was blessed with people. I feel like God put some of the finest people in the world into my life and told them to guide me become a Christian man. Even today, I feel like God keeps putting great people into my life.

There are so many people who have touched my life.

High school buddies, college friends, their families........

I can't thank them enough. I can never thank them enough.

Pause.

All the years, I feel like all I did was receiving.

People kept giving, so I kept receiving.

Personally, I've always understood that being in a Christian relationship is a two-way street.

You give, and you receive.

I think I've done enough receiving.

The table has turned.

It is my turn to give.

So what can I do?

Pause.

This is where I get stuck.

This is where I need extra help from God.

I know life is not about me. It doesn't matter what I do or think.

Also,

I know life is not about you. It doesn't matter what you do or think.

But it is about others, how you influence others matter.

Touching lives, if there is anything you can learn from Christ,

that would be it.

So how do I touch people?

Think for a sec.

Pause.

Again, I get stuck.

One of my favorite verses is Proverbs 27:17 where it says

"As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another".

I love the verse.

It is a proof that you can greatly influence others.

Ironically, it doesn't really say how you can influence others.

Pause.

Maybe, I'm thinking about too much.

Maybe, I just need to be who I am and live Christ-life, and hope that people can see something good with in me.

I hope someday, I can be "the guy".

I hope right now, by writing post, I'm touching someone's life even though, I understand that the chance is slim, I really hope so.

Stay tuned.

Love,

Hiro