All That Glitters

Standing in the back, I noticed the slightly heavy, middle aged, gentleman drop down and crawl barefooted on elbows and knees toward the golden statue.  The walls of the temple were covered with frightening images of demons, dragons, snakes, hell.  The towering golden statue had a slight smile and struck a sharp contrast to these images, as if by design.  As if the intent was to communicate to those entering, “Come towards me”, “Bring me your gifts”, “I will save you from the terror”…

I watched as the distraught man prostrated himself before this “god”.  He stayed for several minutes with his face down on the carpet, imploring for favor or forgiveness, I wasn’t sure.  He was begging, just begging for…..something.  I wondered if he noticed, as I did, the gold paint was peeling off around the giant ceramic feet.  Hmmm…I thought of what Shakespeare wrote: “All that glitters is not gold.”  Indeed.

Outside, we saw some people purchasing silver and golden leaves whereon they wrote their prayers and requests.  Later, the monks will hang them on the many rotating towers glistening in the sun.  Others were throwing their money into a well, of sorts, trying to get their coins to land in the ceramic “god” hands for their requests to be received.    

My observations did not leave me feeling superior, but rather sorely inadequate.  In the few moments I have here, how can I possibly communicate that there is a true and living God not made of clay and gold paint?  He doesn’t require appeasement with money, flowers, or gifts.  You don’t need to write your prayers on a tin leaf.  He hears you.  You don’t have to chant or burn incense.  He sees you.  He knows you, and wants you to know Him too!  It doesn’t matter where you live or what culture you were born into, He is near, He loves you, and He died to set us free.  

Later in the day, we had an opportunity to share that truth with one.  Just one, but that one is precious in His sight.  Thanks to all of you who are praying for us, and for the many “ones” across the world.

“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands.  And He is not served by human hands, as if He needed anything. Rather, He Himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else.  From one man He made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands.  God did this so that they would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him, though He is not far from any one of us.”  Acts 17:24-27 NIV