Child

Previously, I explained how glum it is to walk down the street here in Tokyo, and how depressed the people were. One thing I didn't mention was the pure silence that pierces the city air. You would think silence is a good thing, aaahh... peace and quiet. But this silence is different.

Here in Tokyo, it is looked down on to be disruptive of the "WA" (harmony), so people maintain a very noticeable silence. In the streets, on the train, the crosswalks, everywhere you go, there are so many people in their dark business suits and briefcases, not a smile in sight. (Every once and awhile there will be a nice old lady with a smile, but its rare.) When you go on the train, every individual, whether sitting or standing, stares off into space like a zombie. Half of them are sleeping, and half of those are sleeping while standing. Not a peep, not a noise. All of them are depressed.

The silence here isn't peaceful, its oppressed.

However, as I look out the window, I hear a faint noise coming down the street. I hear giggling and laughter! What is this rare occurrence in such a deathly silence? It was the children! Two young little japanese boys were running down the street, one was chasing the other. I looked and saw their faces, so happy and innocent, eyes bright with wonderment. This made me think to myself.

These young souls were untouched with depression, untouched by the corruption of the world. Their eyes see the world around them with a sense of wonder, a world of discovery, a world to explore. Their hearts are not perfect, by any means, as we know a child can be a major handful. But there is a certain softness, a certain openness, a certain light that shines on them.

It makes you wonder, is that the way we were all originally meant to be? As life drags on are we tainted more and more with dullness, with a closed off heart?

Matt 19:14

But Jesus said, "Let the children come to me. Don't stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these."

Matt 18:3

Then he said, "I assure you, unless you turn from your sins and become as little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of heaven."

I can see this even in a place where the people are so quiet and empty. The children walk down the street and its almost like the entire place is lit up. So happy, so excited, ready to have fun, minds uncorrupted by the adult world, philosophies or ways of thinking. Just raw emotions and desires.

We, as believers, are God's children, and he has prepared a place for us. A place where we can live as the souls he made us to be. We will be pure, and free from worry.