Being on this race, my eyes have been open to new and exciting ways to worship. It takes on a different meaning when you are in a room with fellow believers who don’t speak the same language as you do but is worshipping the same God!
Thailand has opened my eyes to an even different kind of worship. Here the main religion is Buddhism. Before coming to this country, I knew a lot of facts about the religion but seeing it first hand doesn’t do the fact justice.
Buddhism is not just a religion it is a lifestyle! Everything you do…you do it for Buddha. There is no choosing not to follow Buddha today! The way you walk, talk, treat others, pray, eat, learn, and teach is for Buddha. There are so many rules you need to follow and rituals you need to preform to show Buddha that you are worthy enough.
Spirit house can be found around every corner.
(They look like little doll houses that are decorated in reds and yellows and gold. It is where they give a sacrifice to the spirits who will protect them, give them health, give them peace, etc. They will lay food and drinks on these houses and burn incense. Most of the time the family will have next to nothing but will spend every last coin on their spirit house so that hopefully they will be blessed.)
Temples are designed for people to come and ask for long life, peace, health, good fortune and love. You can burn candles, present flowers, and pray. People devote their whole lives to live as monks to worship their god. They give their life up and never look back.
What fascinates me the most is that if you enter into a temple or even a home…you must take off your shoes. It is a sign of respect and true worshipping. Even at the Christian Church we visited one Sunday, we took off our shoes before entering the sanctuary.
They are humbling themselves down to their feet to worship.
But if you mess up once, then you are in serious trouble for gaining your blessings for that day and potentially for this life. There is no grace when it comes to this religion. These people give up their entire lives to worship their god. They don’t think twice about praying to their spirit house, praying to Buddha and being kind to one another. They are on fire for their god!
From an outsiders perspective….these people are living a way that most people should be living. Their lives are filled with respect, devotion and lots of prayer.
The only problem is….THEY ARE WORSHIPPING AN EMPYT GOD!
As we were walking around one of the temples, I realized just how much I take advantage of being able to worship a TRUE and LIVING God. A God who LISTENS to my prayers…who KNOWS my desires and pain…who CHERRISH me and is JEALOUS of my time. To have a God who calls me His BELOVED and SACRIFICED His only Son so I can live with Him forever.
My God is not empty…and sometimes I treat Him like He is empty.
I keep coming back to the idea of
REMOVING YOUR SHOES TO WORSHIP!
God tells His people many times like in Exodus 3:5 and Joshua 5:15 and even in Acts 7:33 to remove your shoes because
you are entering on Holy Ground.
Whenever we are coming to Him, He arrives and is with us. When we have gathered with other believer, He is there!
We have entered into HOLY GROUND!
How amazing is it to think about that!
Our God is with us and surrounds us with His love. We are not worthy yet He still loves us. We turn from Him all the time and try to do it ourselves yet He is there with open arms. We as Christians have the ONLY GOD that is alive and who is fighting for us! He has already prepared the way for us.
I know for myself, this has taken on another meaning in my walk with Christ. I can come to him, just as I am! I don’t have to do any rituals or sacrifices to come and worship God. I want to be just as devoted to God as the Buddhists are devoted to their god. I want to desire to have my personal time with God. I want to pray without ceasing. I want people to look at me and KNOW that Christ lives in me.
So I challenge you to remove your shoes and humble yourself to the God that is alive and who loves you! Remove what is hindering you and come to Him! Remember you are following a God who is not empty or lonely! He is right there waiting for you!
