Dec 24, 2010

So it is gradual....


Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
Philippians 2:12-13
I have been reading a book called "Fit for the Master's Use" by F.B.Meyer. It's really old book but has given me much inspiration so far.

I'd like to share one little portion with you this time.

So God deals with you and me. He does not turn the heart upside down and empty it of every sin at once. First the twilight, and we put away obvious sin; then morning, and we put away other sins not seen before; then eleven o'clock in the morning, and we put away deeper sins that we had missed; until it comes sins, the small dust we had missed. We see deeper, deeper down, and every year a man is saved more completely from the power of known sin. So it is gradual.

You see how kind God is??
I am so amazed at His kindness in working in my heart.
We all have to admit unless God works within us, we cannot substantially changed.
He does bring radical change sometimes, but most of the time, He deals with us gradually.
He does not show us above what we can handle.
As we read the Word and meditate upon it. He, through the work of the Spirit, shows and convicts of our sins.
At same time, He perfectly knows how much we can handle and helps us go through.

I trust in this Gracious and Merciful God.

「そういうわけですから、愛する人たち、いつも従順であったように、私がいるときだけでなく、私のいない今はなおさら、恐れおおのいて自分の救いの達成に努めなさい。
神はみこころのままに、あなたがたのうちに働いて志を立たせ、事を行わせてくださるのです。」
ピリピ2:12−13

最近読んでいる本に、F.B.Meyer著の「Fit For The Master's Use」(訳:主に用いられるのために)というのがあります。
これまで読んでいて、多くのインスピレーションを受けました。
その中の一つをここでシェアしたいと思います。(がんばって訳してみます)
「このように、神は私とあなたを扱われます。神は心をひっくり返して、一度に心にある罪をすべて取り除くというような事はなさりません。初めに、薄明かりがあり、私たちは明らかな罪を取り去ります。そうしたら、朝日が来て、私たちはこれまで見れなかった他の罪を取り去ります。そして、午前11時になるとこれまで見落としていたもっと深いところの罪を取り去ります。私たちはだんだんと深い深いところを見て、年を重ねる度に人は知られている罪の力からさらに完璧に救われるのです。そういうわけで、それは漸進的なのです。」

私は、このような神の恵み、優しさに感謝します!
自分が圧倒されて、諦めたくなるような目には神は会わされないのです。
むしろ、一つ一つ、みことばを通して、罪が示され。一つ一つ、神の助けをもって、取り扱っていく。それが、クリスチャンライフ!

本当に、このような神が私の神であることは感謝以外の何ものでもありません!

主に栄光

Soli Deo Gloria

Dec 21, 2010

"to-do" & "to-be"

"that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead."
Philippians 3:10-11

well, as you saw on my last post, I have (maybe should say "had") been crazily busy. There are so many things to do and I was so obsessed with getting them done.
I do think they are necessarily bad thing to get things which should be done.
But I now think I didn't notice that "to-do" was changing my "to-be".


Searching for job (or so-called "Job Hunting") is very unique culture to Japan. 
I don't have enough time to explain to you here but, in short, we start searching for job through the winter of Junior year and mostly end of April or May of Senior year. 
So for some it takes half year, for most people 4 or 5 months to do that kind of work.
(you know actually working for the company until next year though)


well, getting a job is a once in life decision. yeah, I know I can change my job if I really want to do but even this job changing depends on my first career.
In short, job hunting is extremely important.


In my mind, I knew it and was doing my best.
I even had a season of a few weeks that I didn't get more than 4 hours sleep.
I was really into it; going to different companies' seminars and writing applications.....etc
There are always things to do if I want or try to do.


But I was struggling with my spiritual life.
I really couldn't find time to read my Bible, pray and having fellowship with other Christians.
I knew it was for the season and saw it as necessary sacrifice.
("Sacrifice"?? how stupid I was "sacrificing" God!!)


well, God had His plan.
I met the guy who is manager at IBM Japan. One of my good friend introduced him, when I told him that I am really interested in getting a Job there.
So we met and talked. He is excellent business-man and godly man.
I asked him many things; about IBM Japan, works he does, career planing and getting MBA. well, at the end, he talked about getting a job as a Christian: how he struggled getting job after his college and on and on....


At very end he told me
"As Christian, I just have to do God's will. I can plan things regarding my career. But at the end, it all fall on submission to God. I know economy isn't good and it is hard to get a job. But God has His plan for you. Of-course you have to do what you have to do. But be more optimistic!!"


I was really convicted of my lack of trust in God.
I had known that God has His plan for me. But I think I was aspiring too much to find the plan by works of flesh. 
I spent more time on internet studying companies than in prayer. I spent more time readying economic magazine than reading Bible.
My "to-do" was invading my "to-be" as a Christian.


Well, I am really thankful for God's conviction.
Now I know what was wrong.


But the reality hasn't changed much. I still have to look for a job.
But my inner being is changed.
More trust in God, more confidence in Him, more optimistic in a positive way.


Thank you for your prayer those who are praying for me!


Love

Dec 8, 2010

these days.........

sorry that I didn't update for long time!!

My life has been really crazy as I started what is called "Job Hunting".
I might as well first explain what "job hunting" is.

In Japan, students start looking for job that they will have after their graduation around end of their junior year.
That means you will have the notification of acceptance from companies around April and May of senior year. It will take about 5-6 month to go through recruiting process.

I have been praying for my future and still not sure about it.
So I officially started doing Job Hunting. (I haven't decided to work right after college though...)
Super High Tech bending machine

UNIQLO

Near Tokyo Station
Roppongi (by the Westin Tokyo)

As I go to briefing of companies, I get to go downton often, which is both fun and tiring..

But, I think I am getting into it little too much.
My week has been really filled with going to seminar, writing ES(Entry Sheet=application sheet) or studying for interviews......etc
Being eliminated by the companies is kind of discouraging..... (like J.P.Morgan, Roland Belgar, Morgan Stanley... I already said good-bye to them :P )

I hadn't had good time with God sadly..
BUUUUT, Today was little relaxing day and God blessed me with good bible study tonight!!! Praise God!!

Please Pray for me as I continue to seek God's plan for me.

Thank you