Japanese Drama Review 2 - Hanayori Dango, Episode 1 - Accepting Sovereignty

Makino’s observations of the manner of life at Eitoku High School and how she responds to her peers and to what she discerns concerned me. What if she were my daughter? What if she were yours? We’ve raised her in our believing home – and she’s professed Christ as her Lord and Savior! How would we want her to understand and respond to her circumstances and her peers?

Does Makino understand her reality correctly? How would you counsel her to respond to the situations that confront her so that she could be a testimony of grace?

Our family goal is that she would glorify the Lord where He has her placed. That she would be prepared and equipped to respond correctly to all the trials and troubles of life at Eitoku, and beyond.

When we consider what we’re looking at and listening to in an analytical way – we start to see more and more that could be addressed in a more wholesome way – in a Biblical way. The opening scenes allow us to consider the appearance of the students – they are defined by what they own, their mode of transportation to school and who they associate with. Economics and branding determine their social acceptability. The brand names are not of interest to Makino – she says so – they do not define. Yet, as she is still young, perhaps the Lord has her there to anchor in her soul the reality of Who and What defines her. God is a great economist. He uses every situation to teach us, grow us, expose our reality, and the reality of others.

Before we can address specific issues that would be of concern to a young Christian woman at Eitoku, we need to ensure Makino grasps and understands the sovereignty of God – He placed her there. There is a purpose. He has a plan.

• We know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified (Romans 8:29-30).

• In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will (Ephesians 1:11).

• When he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed. To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ (2 Thessalonians 1:10-12).

What would you want Makino to understand about the sovereignty of God if she were your child? Furthermore, if you are identifying with Makino’s life do you think your thought process needs to change so that you can be a testimony to your peers?

Next week we will encourage Makino to understand branding. Names depicting style and economic advantage do not define her. What does she need to know, and how should she respond to those whose economic advantage is greater than hers?

Link to first review of Hanayoridango, episode 1:

http://em1626grace.wixsite.com/treasurebox/single-post/2016/12/05/Movie-Review-1-%E2%80%93-Hanayori-Dango-Episode-1​

#Hanyoridango #sovereignty #drama