The Ramen Shop Parable

I’ve already had a few comments about the length of my posts, and honestly I already felt as if I were long winded.

I am also learning about the Japanese culture and how they prefer shorter, more parable like ideas to think about on their own.

Kind of like how foreign films don’t have solid, perfectly wrapped endings; they are open ended, and allow for you to fill in the ending, or leave you to mull it over.

So I’ve been thinking about that, a lot. As I am going to be sharing the gospel in a language that i don’t know. What can I do to get the most quality per word and reach the Japanese people the way they would prefer? Learn to make analogies and parables that are Japanese centric.

Attempt one:

The difference between religion (that of Buddha, Shinto, religious Christians) and the relationship we have with a living God is like the difference between dried up store bought ramen compared to Japanese ramen shop ramen.

Now if you have ever had real fresh made ramen, stop here and go think about that vs. prepackaged ramen.

If you are like the many Americans who have not, keep reading. Trying to not expound too much on this idea, but not spell it out so completely read on.

Starting with first impressions, the ramen in the package has a pretty picture of what real ramen looks like, it may have fresh looking toppings, it’ll be in a nice restaurant style bowl, but you and I both know, that is not what lays within. It is made with similar ingredients, it is made to look like the other thing, but inherently, it does not come anywhere close to the way true ramen comes. There is timing that the noodles are placed in the bowl, then the broth, so they don’t get soggy, so the flavors don’t blend, the vegetables are placed just-so on top, with the pork on one side and the egg on the other.

Go check it out my friends. If you have only had prepackaged ramen. Take a trip to Dallas, or which ever large city you are near, and go and try it out!

Bring your packaged ramen, crack it open, and ask for hot water (prepare for odd looks) and prepare the store bought ramen to the packages instructions. Set it next to the freshly made ramen. Look at them, and ponder on them.

Think about if you are experiencing a rich, dynamic, relationship with a God that loves and cares for you in a personal way, everyday.

Or are you just following the “instructions” doing the checklists, and being content with that 99 cent ramen cup?

Making a Monthly Donation—>

<—Presenting to Calvary