Along parts of Japan’s coastline, quiet stone markers stand facing the sea. At first glance, they appear ordinary, but their messages carry the voices of people who lived centuries ago. These are known as tsunami stones.

Many such markers were placed by survivors of devastating waves that destroyed entire villages. After the water receded and communities began rebuilding, some carved warnings into stone for future generations. Their messages were simple and direct. One reads, “If an earthquake comes, beware of the tsunami.” Another says, “Remember the calamity of the great tsunamis.” One inscription is particularly striking: “High dwellings are the peace and harmony of our descendants.”

When the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami struck in 2011, many of these stones were still standing. In several places, villages that had respected the warnings and built their homes above the marked line suffered far less destruction than those that had built below it.

Over centuries, Japan has learned the importance of building on higher ground.

Yet the search for secure ground is not only physical. It is also a question of where people place their hope. Across Japan, each generation passes down traditions connected to ancestors, shrines and rituals. These customs carry deep cultural meaning and reflect a desire to honor the past and live in harmony with unseen forces.

But many people quietly admit that these practices do not always bring certainty or assurance. The longing for something steady remains.

The gospel speaks directly to that longing. Jesus offers more than ritual or tradition. He offers an unshakable foundation. He invites us to build our lives on Him, a Rock that stands firm even when life’s storms rise.

As I prepare to serve in Japan, my prayer is that many will discover this Higher Ground—not by abandoning their culture, but by encountering the Savior who brings true peace and harmony amidst tsunamis.

Together, we can help share the message of Christ with people still searching for the Higher Ground that will hold forever. 

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