… I finally embarked on a book about my great-grandfather.<\/p>\n
I knew that if I hoped to understand what drew him into ministry in Japan, I needed to learn more about Christianity. So, for the first time, I began to read the Bible in a meaningful way, under the guidance of two devout relatives. A long-suppressed inner flame burned brighter as I read and contemplated the Scriptures. Several verses in particular spoke to me.<\/p>\n
In Luke 17:20\u201d\u201c21, when Jesus is asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God is coming, he replies: \u201cThe coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed; nor will people say, \u201d\u02dcHere it is,\u2019 or \u201d\u02dcThere it is,\u2019 because the kingdom of God is in your midst.\u201d\u009d And in John 14:9, Jesus says, \u201cAnyone who has seen me has seen the Father.\u201d\u009d<\/p>\n
For the first time, I felt I understood the true meaning of faith, as hope in things unseen. I understood, too, how Jesus taught us what it means to be God\u2019s people, loving one another as we love ourselves. Only through love can we help bring God\u2019s kingdom to life on earth as it is in heaven.<\/p>\n