Today we went to Angkor Wat, a large Hindu temple in Cambodia, also classified as one of the 7 wonders of the world. It was built along ago in 113 BC and according to one of the passing by tour guides, took 37 years to build. It was a beautiful monument that radiates peace and demonstrates a piece of ancient history. But after many steps, I quite frankly wasn’t impressed. I found myself bored, wondering why I paid $20 to go see a bunch of ruins that man built and is withering away everyday. It looked all the same, green moss growing on carved stones, trees planting themselves on the tallest peaks of the temple, human efforts blocking off certain parts to preserve the temples’ natural state. I noticed myself taking much more delight in the beautiful scenery around Angkor Wat; the creation that God made and how much more impressive that was to the eye.
The trees at Angkor Wat and the smaller temples afterward were exquisite.The lilies in the pond, the florescent flowers springing from the water were winsome and created with a brush of God’s hand. Roots covered the ground, trees reached up towards the sky like sky scrapers with unique characteristics I have never experienced. Trunks of trees over grew the temple walls and split concrete, leaving slabs of rock and cement in half. How powerful is God’s works!
People flocked the temples to see the work of the those before us, climb to the top of temples, capture the right angle of a human masterpiece and take pictures with the ruins. However, I also noticed many people taking pictures in front of the soaring trees and monkeys that come right up to you. It’s nice to stand in awe of God’s creations that stop us in our tracks such as these sky touching tress, sun rises and sun sets, when we stop for shade under a tree, gaze at butterflies that float around us or catching a glimpse of the stars that blanket the night sky. We as humans already have a natural attraction to God and his ways because he instills that in us. His works are magnificent.
Don’t get me wrong, the intricate details people hundreds of years ago carved and created with limited technology is incredible and the result is great. I wouldn’t discourage anyone from visiting Angkor Wat, the experience and monument is a piece of history that has affected many. God’s creation and natural beauty out does any of our human efforts because he wants us to see his glory. Even though I went to Angkor Wat to see this huge temple, God reminded me and redirected his attention towards him so I could see his marvelous work. God is the same great God yesterday, today and forever and is never boring creating us more into his likeness everyday and sharing his beauty with us!
Beauty!
