A Thai family walks up to the shiny gold statues with reverence. Their hands folded in front of them with a lotus flower clutched between their fingers. Heads bowed, they say prayers in front of the gleaming gold statues.
As I was standing there in this Buddhist temple in the mountains of Thailand, cool rain falling softly on my face, I was mesmerized by this act of worship. As I looked toward the statues where people were waiting their turn to light incense and bring their flowers and prayers, all I saw was emptiness.
Tourists from all over the world ventured out on this rainy day to see the gleaming temple overlooking the city. Some were participants, bringing their offerings and prayers. Others were observers with their foreign accents and shiny cameras.
The temple itself was beautiful. Ornate with its gold statues and colorful rafters. Filled with so many things made by human hands, but empty.
Rooms where monks dressed in orange robes were giving out blessings to those who had ventured to this gleaming gold temple. Even these lush colorful rooms, empty.
“The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.” Acts 17:24-25
As sad as it was to see people seeking, looking for something that can never truly fulfill them, I felt the hope that comes with knowing that my God does not live in a temple built by man. I don’t have to walk up 300 steps to a temple in the mountains to speak to Him. I don’t have to earn my salvation. I don’t have to worry about making my God angry and getting bad karma. I don’t have to be empty. I am filled with the love of Christ. With the hope of salvation. With the Holy Spirit and with joy and life.
This temple in the mountains filled with gold statues may be different than many things I have seen in the States, but it made me wonder, how often do I turn to things to fulfill me that are really empty? Popularity, money, comfort, possessions. All these things are as empty as gold statues in the mountains of Thailand. There is only one person who can truly fulfill us and He does not live in a temple built by man.
This month in Thailand I have seen God working in so many lives. I have seen Him working in the lives of the girls and boys who will never be a victim of sex trafficking. I have seen God working in the lives of the house parents and missionaries who have given up their own plans to live and serve here. I have also seen God working in my own heart and in the hearts of my team this month. This is how I know God is present in my life. This is how I know God is working in the lives of people here in Thailand. This is how I know He is bigger than any temple man can build.
