In the morning the television is turned on as breakfast is eaten and preparations for the day ahead are made. On the drive in to work the radio plays. At work the computer is turned on as phone messages are check followed by the emails to be read and replied. The morning is consumed with meetings and deadlines, but met never too early by lunch break. An hour away from the office spent talking with friends or co-workers over a meal or running errands that didn’t get done the day before. The break ends too soon and the day continues with more phone calls, emails, and meetings. The work day is over and as the talk radio fills the car with today’s news about all the problems facing the society the car finally pulls into the driveway. Once in the house, on goes the television with more news, followed by the evening serious of choice and maybe some more news as you brush your teeth and get ready for bed. As you sit in bed the newspaper that never got read in the busy day gets a quick glance through before the alarm is reset and the light goes out.
Sound about right? Try this one.
You awake at 6am and go to your mat, get on your knees and pray with all earnestness as you have done all your life. When finished, you go to work, on your way in stopping by your place of worship to say another pray, light incense, etc. You get to work and go about your tasks for the day, meetings, phone calls, being careful not to do or say anything to come between you and your beliefs. Lunch follows the same as you eat only at places which also will not jeopardize your beliefs. Shortly after lunch you again go to your mat, get on your knees and pray. You finish your day at work shortly after your third time of stopping what you are doing and to go to your mat to pray. Once home you will repeat this process twice, the last at nearly 10pm. You will head off to bed shortly after until the 6am call begins once more.
Please give grace as I am still learning about this culture and religious practices here and may have a few things misstated.
What is the main thing you notice about these two stories? I was recently reading Jeremiah 10 and it got me thinking, and so I would like to share my journal entry from this chapter with all of you.
V.2 Good reminder of Colossians 2:8. Every time I lay in my bed here in Malaysia and look at the ceiling I am reminded of what this verse is saying. “KIBLAT” is the word I see on a green arrow which is pointing west. It is not pointing toward the emergency escape, as I am on the third floor with no ladder out my window, but is directing the way for one to face so they may pray the “proper” way; facing Mecca.
V. 3-5 continue on by explaining how idols are useless/worthless things created by man. I have to stop and ask myself, “How much work do I put into useless things?” I may not have a golden statue that I bow down to, but what about my computer, my vanity, my time, and my thoughts?
V.5 “nor can they do any good.” I spend so much time on things that in no way benefit my life.
Whatever we may think about the many other religions in this world, we could learn a few things about devotion. Funny how it’s so easy to check my emails 5 or more times a day, yet so hard to talk to the One who gave us our eyes to be able to read them.
V.12 to think how often I take for granted the opportunity I have to be in a relationship with such a powerful God saddens me. How easy it gets to go through a day a not be thankful to the One who created it for me.
V.14 what is the way I spend my days saying about me? Do I use my hours on things that have no meaning? Sadly, far too often the answer is yes.
Final Thought: To what are you worshipping and devoting so much of your life? In which direction is your KIBLAT arrow pointing?
