Despite being one of the most technologically advanced nations in the world, Japan has long been known for its love of cash. Even as mobile payments and digital wallets are becoming common elsewhere, many Japanese people continue to rely on notes and coins. There is reassurance in what is tangible, what can be seen, touched, counted and relied upon.

There is something deeply human about that.

Most of us prefer what we can see. We trust what we can measure, control and understand. Whether it is money, possessions, achievements or carefully laid plans, we often place our confidence in things that feel certain.

Faith asks something different.

Scripture speaks directly into this tendency. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”

There is a quiet challenge in those words. Not to abandon wisdom, but to release the need for full control. Not to see less, but to trust more deeply than what is visible in the moment.

Faith calls us to trust not in what we can hold, but in the One who holds us.

This challenge is not unique to Japan. It is part of the human condition. We want guarantees before we move forward. We want proof before we believe. Yet throughout Scripture, God repeatedly invited His people to trust Him before they could see the outcome.

The people of Japan are no different. Many have built their lives around things that are visible and dependable. Yet countless people have never encountered Jesus’ invitation to place their trust in Him.

The gospel is not simply a set of beliefs. It is an invitation into a relationship with a faithful God who keeps His promises and remains trustworthy even when circumstances change.

As I prepare to serve in Japan, I am reminded that mission begins with trust: trust that God is already at work, trust that He is drawing people to Himself, trust that He can do what no human effort can accomplish.

Will you join me in that trust? Through your prayers and support, you help bring the hope of Christ to people who may never have heard that they can place their confidence in a Savior who will never fail them.

• Twitter