Before coming to India and Nepal, I had a very limited understanding of Hinduism. I knew that Hindus believed in many other gods, and that was about the extent of my knowledge. Even with that restricted perception of Hinduism, I still found myself judging Hindus who decided to follow Christ, but also kept serving their other gods. How could they truly be a Christ follower if they allowed themselves to continue following these Hindu gods?
When our squad arrived in India, we had a short debrief about the culture and the Hindu religion before we left for our ministry locations. As we were learning about the Hindu faith, our contact said that when Hindus first hear about Christ, they usually just add Him to their already long list of gods. That sometimes it’s a slow, stripping away process of turning away from other gods, in order to serve the one true God. That they are still a son or daughter of Christ, and that He is teaching them what it means to truly take up their cross and follow Him.
I can be quick to look down at these people who are learning to turn away from their gods. I can say that they don’t really know who Christ is, if they are still willing to follow the gods of their past. I can do all of these things, but really, how different am I from them? My gods may not be wooden idols I burn incense to or colorful murals on a wall, but they are gods just the same. My gods can sometimes be even more dangerous, because they manifest themselves in very hidden ways. These gods may look like:
Control
Greed
Selfishness
Jealousy
Worry
Relationships
Power
Comparison
Logic
These gods may not be made by human hands or worshiped in a temple, but I still serve them in my heart. Anytime I look away from my Jesus onto the world, others, my circumstances, or even myself, I am serving other gods. When Christ says He wants us to serve Him with our whole heart, soul, and mind, He means He wants all of us. Our thoughts, feelings, actions, everything. What other gods have you been serving, and are you willing to give them up in order to only serve Him?
