On a clear winter day I can see Mount Fuji from Yokota Air Force Base. The snow covered mountain juts high above all the surrounding mountains. It is a beautiful sight of God’s creation! I know what lies beneath the snow because I climbed Mt. Fuji last summer. Mt. Fuji is classified as an active volcano and there is a big hole or crater at the top. The mountain is covered with volcanic rock and residue that gets stuck in the shoes when trekking down the ash-covered paths. These small pieces of hardened cinder cause your feet to hurt and you have to remove them from your shoes to be able to walk comfortably. The mountain is barren; few signs of life along the path.

Buddhists named the mountain after the fire goddess, Fuchi. Located at the top of the mountain is a Shinto shrine dedicated to another goddess. Living in Japan opened my eyes to false religions. God warns His people in the Ten Commandments, Exodus 20:3 “You shall have no other gods before me”. Deut 4:39 says, “Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the LORD is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other.”

Mt. Fuji inspires me to reflect upon some truths: There is only one God. Our hearts have big holes or craters that only Jesus can fill. No other religion or false goddess can do that. God makes us a new beautiful creation when we trust in the shed blood of Jesus and His work on the cross. Jesus removes the sin (cinders) from our hearts and makes us white as snow. God gives us His Word that is a lamp to our feet and a light for our path to show us how to live (Psalm 119:105). He warns us to stay on the narrow path that leads to life, and not trek down ash-covered paths that will lead us astray.

Do you have a crater in your heart and need Jesus to fill it? Have you asked and trusted Jesus to forgive you and remove the cinders and give you life? As a believer, are you trekking down an ash-covered path or are you on the narrow path?

Dear God, open the eyes of people deceived by false religions to see and know the Truth. Impress upon the hearts of PWOC to arise and share the good news. Thank you for the Bible, your Word. Help us to obey your Word and live righteously, in Jesus name, Amen.

Submitted by Laura Miller, President Yokota Air Force Base, Japan

Laura Miller and her husband Mark of 20 years are stationed in Japan at Yokota Air Force base. They have 3 children, 19, 16, and 14 years old, as well as a Rat Terrier named Riley.