Speaking of trying to answer the questions people pose, like “Why are you in Japan?” or “Why did you come here?”, sometimes I just wish I could show them a video or concrete image to show what I mean and not have to say anything. I often do a terrible and awkward job of trying to explain myself.
Actually, I did put together a slideshow that I've shown to about a hundred or so people. But in the moment of conversation a quick reply is needed.
Were I alert, I would like to answer them something like, “Do you know the leading cause of death among youth men (aged 22-44) and women (aged 15-34)? From 1998 to 2011, Japan has seen over 30,000 fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, sons, daughters kill themselves each year. People give up hope and destroy their life by jumping from buildings and hanging themselves and other means. By God’s grace, I aim to share the hope of life with them.”
Recently I came across a video that nicely elucidates one tip of the iceberg from a secular point of view. I hope many people will watch it. I hear it’s already been making a big impact. I would love to know what you think about it.
But more than that, consider what if someone is brought back from the edge of the cliff and resumes a “normal” life of work, family, etc. and goes on to live a long life. Maybe like many in Japan they even live to be over a hundred, and then die and go to hell for eternity.
Suddenly, the importance of that suicide prevention becomes meaningless in the big scheme of things as their lives are yet empty, meaningless, and “righteousnessless”, without true identity, individuality, significance, and belonging, separated still from a trust relationship with their loving Maker, who is the Lord God Almighty. One cannot save someone from physical death, without also sharing true life with them so that they are protected from “the second death” (Revelation 2:11; 20:6; 20:14; 21:8). A status quo life merely means going about underneath the just condemnation and wrath of God (John 3:16-21, 36; Rom. 2:5; Eph. 2:1-3).
“Be merciful to those who doubt,” Jude 1:22-23 counsels, and, “Rescue others by snatching them out of the fire [from the flames of judgment]. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating even the garment stained by the flesh [the sins that contaminate/pollute/defile their lives].”
In learning Japanese and researching issues like this, I’ve learned a few helpful words along the way. “Ikigai” (生き甲斐), for example, means one’s purpose in life. Japanese may not care what it is so long as they have any kind of hobby to keep them occupied. They are usually doubtful that one could have certainty about finding the true meaning of why we have been given life on this earth. “Inochi no monban” (いのちの門番) means a gatekeeper of life, one who recognizes the warning signs of someone who might be thinking of suicide and can intervene and bring help. That’s what I want to be.
I know the gatekeeper (John 10:7-10, 27-30; 14:6) and he is full of loving-kindness. Indeed, He provides the light of life for the whole family (Acts 16:25-34; Psalm 36:9). People talk about “professional” help as real help or serious help, and certainly there are benefits to having some training in counseling, but I’ve never known a soul whose life has been transformed like the countless folks I’ve met that Jesus has changed (Psalm 30:11). I’ve gotten to talk to several Japanese doctors of a Buddhist/humanist worldview about what they might say to persuade someone to not take his life - especially someone with no family. They admitted they had no compelling reason to give why the person should choose life. Even if they believe in the soul/spirit or some afterlife, there is no place in their understanding for real hope.
The One who knows the depths of our hearts (Psalm 139:1-2) says that He “is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18), “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (Psalm 147:3), and He even went so far as to take up our infirmities and carry our sorrows (Isaiah 53:4).
In their place, He promises true joy and true peace to comfort us in the midst of our troubles (John 14:27; 16:20, 22, 33). “For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we may boldly say: ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?’ ” (Hebrews 13:5-6). Together with my Japanese brothers and sisters in the Lord, I have known that peace and comfort He gives - hope for the heart. It sure beats a prescription for Xanax.
Paul of Tarsus also was well acquainted with the great crushing weight of alienation, rejection, persecution. His letters are filled with his reflections on such trials and how God has proved His faithfulness over and over:
“We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many” (2 Corinthians 1:8-11).
P.S. - I would be remiss if I did not include this precious vision that's restoring hope among the disaster-ravaged region. We can see His life at work in these survivors (2 Corinthians 4:8-12).
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