[The story has been told that one day the well known Christian author, C.S.
Lewis, walked into a room where a lively debate was in progress. The small group
of people that had gathered there was having a discussion about the major
religions of the world, and trying to decide what is the fundamental difference
between these other religions and Christianity. As Lewis entered, the room
became suddenly silent, and everyone turned to put the question to this great
Christian thinker. His answer was short and simple. "One word," he said,
"describes the difference between Christianity and all other religions. That
word is 'grace.'" End of sentence, end of debate.] - http://www.webedelic.com/church/graceworksf.htm
(accessed Oct. 1, 2007)
Grace (charis in Greek; chen in Hebrew; biyaya in Filipino, and megumi in Nihongo) is popularly defined as “God’s unmerited favor toward men.” Dissecting this definition would give us three of its basic elements: (1) it is from God; (2) man is the recipient; and (3) it is unmerited. It is a picture of the cross and all it represents.
Given this definition and though it would still be an understatement, my one year here in Japan can be characterized by a year of God’s unmerited favor, as has been in the past years. God has amazingly engineered a lot of events and circumstances, bestowed blessings and triumphs, and allowed trials and frustrations in my one year here in Kochi. I recognize His graciousness and faithfulness, and I am grateful.
1. I was awarded a Monbukagakusho scholarship for PhD. Although it is
in a small graduate school in a small university, I am still thankful because
then I get the opportunity for discipline in self-study, independence in work,
and all the accompanying difficulties that only serve to strengthen one’s
resolve;
2. I got married. God gave me a husband who prays, and who
undoubtedly loves me. Although his marrying me completely delayed all his other
plans, we both believe in and attribute our circumstances to God’s sovereignty;
3. I’m now with a child. I look at my big belly and smile at his
father, and I tell myself, this is another grace from God. I know of one here
who had to go through invitro fertilization (IVF) where the implantation
succeeded but the zygote strangely didn’t manage to grow.
These, and all the innumerable daily little joys, frustrations, triumphs, trials, blessings, friends I encountered in my past year in this foreign land are unmerited favors from our gracious God. I cannot be more grateful.
For His glory,
Che
(I came to Kochi, Japan on October 2, 2006)
