Here in Thailand Buddhist temples are quite a sight to see. They are often big and white with gold spires, red roofs and elaborate decorations covering them. About a week ago, I visited Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, a temple high up on Doi Suthep mountain, 15 km from the city of Chiang Mai. As I watched the people giving money, bowing down to idols, ringing bells, laying down roses and reciting prayers, I couldn’t help but think to myself that religion is weird. Why do we do these silly things?
Since that day I find myself questioning whether or not the things I "do for God" look just like any other religion to someone on the outside of Christianity looking in. I am ashamed to admit they could be easily mistaken for exactly that. How is what I do any different from them? For example, last night as I was walking to dinner with a friend, I passed by a man sitting on the ground. His outstretched leg had a raw wound open and bleeding. He was holding a small child on his lap in one arm and shaking a plastic can in the other. I saw one girl stop to drop a few coins in his cup while the rest of us stepped over and around him. I know what Jesus would have done had he come across this same man and I know what he asks me to do when he crosses my path with his hurting people, yet I kept walking. After all, I don't speak Thai! My remedy for most bodily ailments is taking 2 advil and dealing with it, how could I help? I have no supplies on me. I have no idea where a hospital is. I told my friend I'd eat dinner with him! I don't want to have to withdrawal more money out of the ATM because it costs $5 each time and I have just enough for my meals until we leave. Blah, blah, blah, excuse after excuse jumped to the front of my mind reasoning away the leading of the Holy Spirit. And I do this so often!
"For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me…as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me." Matthew 25: 35,36,40
My life should be radically different for the sake of Jesus' name and what He has done for me. If I'm not whole heartedly committed and if my actions don't mimic the words coming out of my mouth and vice versa, I am the same as the people I see here in Thailand bowing down to their brazen images and honoring things made by man.
Lifeless.
Deceived.
Foolish.
Lost.
God forgive me and help me to love your people!
"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world." James 1:22 – 27
A relationship with Jesus is hard. It's not something you can do half heartedly or on the side.
"Then Jesus told his disciples, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.'" Matthew 16:24-25
"Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life and there are few who find it." Matthew 7:14
I like to imagine what would have happened if I had stopped dead in my tracks, fallen to that man's side and embraced him. If I had grabbed someone to translate and told him not to worry, God had sent me and I was going to take him to the hospital. What would have happened if I had stayed with him until morning, payed his hospital bill and found somewhere for him and his boy to stay.
I know what it would have meant to me, if I were in his shoes. And I would have wanted to know more about this God who sent them. Can you imagine? So much glory could be brought to Jesus' name, if only I would be willing to give Him everything I have.
