Divine Ambush

Dr. Sachi Nakamura

(Christian Books Translator, JCFN Board Member, Spiritual Director)

The other day, I was reading a book called “Just This” by a Catholic priest named Richard Rohr and found an interesting statement.

Rohr quoted Mark 13:33-35,

“Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come.  It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with their assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch. “Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn.

Rohr said that this was the second coming of Christ, or “the eternal coming of Christ,” and that it is in fact happening “now.”

Leaving aside the theological arguments about eschatology, the second coming, and the rapture, I think everyone can agree with the doctrine that Jesus is always with us in his Spirit. Rohr tells us that Jesus, who is here with us, speaks to us and reveals himself to us through a variety of things, events, and occasions. He is waiting to pounce on us with a “Divine Ambush,” so to speak. But if we are still sleepy and absent-minded, how can Jesus do so? If we are still trapped in the past, still worried about the future, if we are not living in the “here and now,” how can Jesus do so? We hear this pretty often, but the Presence of God is not found in the past or the future, but it is always in the “present.”

Because we can’t return to the past or skip to the future, we will encounter God only in the “here and now.”

However, the “here and now” may feel inconvenient for us at times.

The quiet mornings when we are alone or when worshipping in church are the best times to meet the Lord. But when we are crazy busy or are up to our necks in despair, we may think that now is not the time for seeing God.

But what if when we are absorbed in something, the Lord is there too, patiently waiting to meet us…?

When I had this thought, I was hit with the realization that the verse “Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come” now had a new meaning.

When you get the chance, I recommend reading “Here And Now: Living In The Spirit,” a great book written by the author Henry Nouwen.

EC20 is to be Online!!

Hello hello! My name is Kristine Reddington and I’m an associate staff for JCFN. I am also the director for this year’s Equipper Conference (EC). (EC is a conference held to equip those who will one day return to Japan)

I’m sure some of you have been wondering.. “What’s the plan for EC this year?” 

I am happy to announce that we have decided to have an online conference this year👏👏

Although we will miss seeing everyone in person, we are excited for this online opportunity. Here are some things that were said in the EC committee discussions:

“Because how crazy this year has been, EC will be a huge blessing for people”

“Doing it online doesn’t mean that we need to give up on our vision”
“God will move powerfully regardless of how EC happens”

In our discussions, we were reminded that God will use this new and unique EC for His glory.

With that, I want to share with you this year’s theme. Theme for EC20 is…

“Listen…~So you may live~”

When I was thinking about the returnees and the things God had been teaching me, what God gave me was this concept, “to listen.” “Voices” are huge influences in our lives. To listen to the world or to listen to God determines the way we live. So at this year’s EC, we want people to see the need to listen and respond to God in their daily lives. We also want them to see the joy that comes with that.

With COVID-19 stuff, we have been led to pray and “listen” as the EC committee more than usual. In that, God has challenged us and encouraged us. I am confident that God who is already speaking as we plan will speak powerfully at EC20. So let’s be expectant❤

This year’s EC is also the 30th anniversary of JCFN. I am so excited for God to do only what He can do. So please pray with us for this year’s EC~☺✨

 

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