Take My Spot, Please
The Independent reports that, a "Japanese company has implemented a radical parking strategy that has caught the world’s attention."
The strategy, which involves early employees sacrificing their parking spots for harmony, reflects the deep-rooted cultural values of cooperation and consideration in Japanese society.
To address the issue, they have adopted a system where employees who arrive early enough to secure a parking spot must forfeit it to a colleague who arrives later.
This selfless act ensures that those who live farther away or have more difficulty finding alternative transportation can have a guaranteed spot.
The Independent continues:
The system is a demonstration of the Japanese work ethic and the value placed on teamwork and mutual support. It underscores the importance of considering the needs of others and working together for the common good, even at the expense of personal convenience.
Critics might argue that such a system could lead to resentment or abuse, but reports indicate that it has been well-received by the company’s employees. The strategy seems to foster a sense of community and shared responsibility, reinforcing the bonds between colleagues and promoting a positive work environment. ...
[The program] offers a compelling case study of the power of collective action and the importance of prioritizing community over individual gain.
As Christians, the Lord calls us to adopt just such a "radical stratedgy" in ALL our dealings with others, putting the needs of others above our own. In this way, we can build a genuine sense of community among the brethren, and demonstrate a genuine desire to be witness to Christ's selfless love to the unsaved.
"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others" (Philippians 2:3-4, NIV).
"For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself'" (Galatians 5:14, ESV).
"Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another" (Romans 12:10, NKJV).
Polar Bear One Another's Burdens
Perhaps you've seen the many social media posts (on Facebook, Instagram, etc), claiming that it is illegal to lock your car doors in the town of Churchill, Manitoba, Canada. But is it true? Well, yes and no ...
“There is no current law in place in Churchill that requires residents to not lock their vehicle doors,” Paul Manaigre, a spokesman for the RCMP in Manitoba, the province that Churchill belongs to, told AFP by email.
But the claim is grounded in some truth. Churchill, population 900, is known for frequent polar bear visits when the ice on the nearby Hudson Bay melts in the warmer months.
According to Manaigre, “It is common knowledge that polar bears may enter the community at any time, and those that may need to seek shelter from a polar bear can use a vehicle, as most people will leave them unlocked for this purpose.”
“It’s just a common practice to leave your doors open. I never lock my car doors in my personal vehicle,” Erica Gillis, a research technician at the Churchill Northern Studies Centre, told AFP.
She explained that this custom is partly due to the polar bear threat, but also because Churchill is a remote, isolated community not accessible by road. “There aren’t many roads other than the main street,” Gillis added.
There is an estimated population of 935 polar bears in the western Hudson Bay area, where Churchill sits. As a response to the frequent bear visits, the town established a polar bear alert program. A team tranquilizes the animals if they enter town and takes them to a polar bear holding center, known by locals as the polar bear jail.
Thanks to the program, the Manitoba town has not had a bear-related fatality since the early 1980s.
The comments on the social pages range from disbelief and fear, to fancy and sarcasim. But the comment that seemed to jump off the page ...
Now THAT'S community!
Indeed, that IS community: A tight knit group of people, all looking out for one another, intentionally making provision for one another's refuge and safety. My car is your car. In this village, in this community, we protect and care for one another.
Appropriately and ironically, this little town is call "CHURCHill" (wink), where they collectively "bear" one another's burdens.
In our wild and unruly world where all manner of "bears" are seemingly out to get us, the church is called to be that village where the doors of refuge are always unlocked, waiting to welcome us in to help us stand against the lurking dangers. Now THAT'S community!
"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2, ESV).
"Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others, (Philippians 2:4, ESV).
"Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor," (1 Corinthians 10:24, ESV).
"Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God," (Hebrews 13:16, ESV).
The Crew Behind the Counter
Jess Wislon, of Diary of Mom blog, observes:
I LOVE this picture of Julia Child filming French Chef back in 1963. There are 5 people - FIVE! - sitting on the floor of the set, crammed behind her kitchen island, hidden from the camera's view. One of the five is holding at the ready a pie tin, which will undoubtedly be magically transported into her hand momentarily.
*Photo from WGBH TV, "The French Chef," which first aired February 11, 1963.
She continues:
Heck, even Julia Child couldn’t cook like Julia Child. At least not alone.
Our Christian experience is much like the 1960s set of Julia Child's TV kitchen. So much is going on behind the scenes to prop us up, support us, assist us. We were not meant to serve up the dish we call the Christian life alone!
In fact, the Lord calls us — nay, commands us! — to function in community ... "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ" (Galatians 6:2, ESV).
Why? Because we are, in fact, one body. "For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another" (Romans 12:4-5, ESV).
Julia Childs didn't become the world's most reknown French chef in a vaccuum.
It might have been Julia's hands the camera focused on, stirring the pot, whisking the batter, kneeding the dough, but behind her, all around her, beneath her, was a whole army of community helping her to be all she could be.
We are no less called to be that supporting cast for one another. Sometimes, we'll walk beside each other. But just as often, we might find ourselves behind, or even beneath each other. In those moments, remember: "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men" (Philippians 2:4-6, ESV).
In the Christian life, as the cameras are all focusing on you, don't forget to look around, behind, and beneath for all those who are supporting you, and give thanks that you are not called to live your life in a vaccum!
And likewise, when you see all the focus on another, don't hesitate, even for a moment, to crawl behind the counter, to stoop down beneath another brother or sister in the Lord, to help them shine and be the very best they can be!
"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken" (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, ESV).
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near" (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV).