A week ago, Eric and I visited Fukuoka, Japan. One afternoon, we went to a street with local shops and planned to have lunch there. There were so many kinds of food that we struggled to make a choice; but at that moment we saw a newly opened ramen shop. Although it was not yet time for business, there was already a long queue outside. We thought: “With so many people queuing up, it must be good. As we haven’t decided what to eat yet, let’s give it a go!”
Finally, the Japanese ramen shop opened for business, and there was a ticket vending machine at the entrance for customers to order food. When it was our turn, we found that there was only one food to choose from, and the staff kept talking to us in Japanese. So, without full understanding, we chose the soup base and then took our seats. After we sat down, Eric saw a promotional material on the wall and then realised that the meal was free. This was the shop’s promotional strategy, that also allowed diners to give feedback during a business trial period. For both of us, this lunch was an unexpected grace.
This experience reminded me of the days when I first found my faith. Many of us may have come to know our faith unexpectedly, or followed Jesus and received His precious salvation without full understanding. But after accepting salvation, how should we respond? In our experience at the ramen shop, when we learned about the “grace”, my mentality changed. At first, in front of the ticket vending machine, I found it strange and was even disappointed that there was only one choice. However, after knowing the reason, we could only feel grateful. Some people may say that this comes with a price; as the shop expected diners to fill in the feedback form, it was a “trading”! In the eyes of the Japanese staff, they might think that we, two people who did not understand Japanese, would not leave any comments for them, but they still served us earnestly. Moreover, some diners did not fill out the form after finishing their meals, but the staff did not put pressure on them. The key lies in how recipients of grace respond. In addition to eating this meal with gratitude, Eric and I put our hearts into reading the questions in the feedback form using translation software. We even translated our comments into Japanese and carefully transcribed the Japanese words into the form, like primary school pupils.
We may not understand our faith very well when we first receive it. I hope that after receiving salvation, we can seriously respond to the Lord and learn to understand the truth, just like the good soil in the parable of the sower, which can bear fruits (Mark 4:8, 20). May we all become disciples of the Lord and can please Him, and serve for Him on earth as salt and light, so that more people can know the Lord and experience His great love and salvation.
“Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:15-16)
Rev. Florence Wong