Lights blur past. The wind blows my hair all around me. The
street is filled with people. I walk past thousands of men and women who are
all trying to fill an empty void. I think to myself “do they know they are
worthy of more”? Music plays loudly as if trying to drown out their voices. I
think to myself “do they know their voice counts”? I sit down at one of the
countless bars. I see the women trying to make their way in a world that sees
them as just another pretty face. I look at them and all I see is a woman who
was made in the image of God. The first time I went to the bars of Thailand I
felt an ach in my heart that made my entire body shake in brokenness. All I saw
as I looked at the crowd, at the women, at the men, was hopelessness. God
reminded me that there is hope. They are his creation. He changed the way I
loved them. He changed the plan I had when I first walked into Thailand. It was
simple, so simple. He gave me the eyes to see hope within them not the darkness
looming all around their lives. They are more. There is hope. There is joy.
There is a light in the darkness that can guide them out.
The flame burns. The smell of incense clouds the air. My
lungs take in the perfumes of sacrifice. My hand is on my camera. The ancient
beauty astounds me and makes me cry all at the same time. I don’t want to take
pictures of these places. I don’t want to glorify something that is keeping
people from the freedom and love of the one true God. I feel an aching inside.
The muddy river flows besides me as I stand holding onto the boat. All I can
see are ancient temples. Holy places. Idols. I take my shoes off at the door. A
gold statue blinds me. I hear the chiming and clinking of something. Money.
Sacrifices. My eyes fill with tears. They ring the bells. They burn the
incense. The pick up and offer beautiful things. They turn and look at a statue
built by the hands of men. If they would only turn their backs from their idols
they would see what the one true God has made. Creation!
Their God is built upon the mountain the he made. Look out.
See the ocean below. Feel the presence of the Lord. He made the earth and all
that is in it. They build with their hands things that can shatter. God made
them. Who can create something more beautiful than life? There is hope. There
is life. There is joy. There is redemption. The price is already paid. There is
victory. There is God!
