Every day the chanting began and sporadically continued all day long. In the evening, the music also began, using instruments we probably don’t even have back in the states. I would describe the sound somewhat along the lines of a middle school band. As in when the whole band first sits down for practice and every person feels the need to blow and play their instrument to no specific beat.
After the fourth night, we finally asked our host, Pang, what was going on. She told us her friend’s grandfather had died and they were having his funeral at the Temple down the road. He was Buddhist, as is 98% of Thailand, and the funeral would last for several days. Pang happened to be going that night and offered to take us with her.We all eagerly agreed to go, not really expecting anything.
When we walked up to the funeral, you could feel the Enemy’s presence. Satan proudly sat up front amongst the gold statues and idols, laughing at and mocking us as we walked in. Every head in the place turned to watch us.
We had just walked into the hands of the Enemy. This was his dwelling place. This was where he thrived. He loved knowing he had every single Thai person in that room in his grip.
And he knew
we were walking
right into his territory.
The whole event consisted of a lot of chanting, which was actually their praying. They blessed and worshipped the gods, and then they blessed the man who had passed away. Each person there sat with their hands in prayer position throughout the entire service.
These people were so dedicated. They spent their whole lives worshipping, serving, and blessing these gods. Gods who could never and would never give them anything in return. They serve things that aren’t even real.
If only these people knew the truth. If only they had this kind of dedication to their real Savior.
If they just knew.
I wanted so badly to stand up in front of them and tell them all about the incredible goodness of Jesus. Every part of my body strained, longing to simply show these people a life that would actually fulfill them.
I fought back tears, looking around the sea of chairs. If no one stepped in, all of these people would go to hell. Every. Single. One. You can’t try to dress up that kind of truth.
And there are so many places just like this one across the globe. It places such an urgency on things. It broke my heart. Why did Satan get to win all of these people over? I was not only overcome with sadness, but I was frustrated.
I just sat there,
unable to do a single thing
about the situation.
I wish I could write some awesome story about how my team and I miraculously converted the entire room. That God Himself came down from Heaven and broke the chains these people placed themselves in. It could happen, and it would be an incredible story, but nothing along those lines happened.
I can tell you what did happen though.
We showed up.
I, along with my six other teammates, walked into Satan’s so-called domain. As soon as we set foot in that place, he trembled with fear. He was forced to kneel down. He could mock and laugh at us all he wanted, but that was all he could do.
I saw what Satan was doing, but they saw us. Every person there saw us.
And we walk in light.
We bring the Kingdom
when we step into a room.
We bring Jesus.
Jesus was with us that night, and when He steps into a room, everything changes. People notice. That night, they couldn’t help but notice us because of Him.
During their prayers, a Thai woman behind us leaned forward and tapped our hosts shoulder. She asked her “Why don’t they pray?” Before Pang could answer, the woman said “Jesus?”
Yes, Jesus.
People notice and the Enemy can’t do anything to hide our light. He can’t do anything to stop us.
So, if anything, people saw us that night. And in us they saw something radically different. If anything, we showed up. We told Satan, “We’re here. HE is here. We see you and we’re going to put an end you. You don’t get to sit back and take hold of these people.”
One day this nation, and every other, will belong to God.
One day Satan will have no hold.
He will be made a footstool.
He will be nothing.
Until then, I promise to do everything in my willpower to stop the Enemy. I promise to show up. I promise to walk in light. I promise to bring the Kingdom.
How are you walking in light? Do people recognize the difference when you walk into a room? Are you truly showing up as we are called to?
