More questions than answers…
After three long months of being immersed in cultures of idol worship and Buddhist and Hindu temples, it’s been a joy to visit a few of the many different cathedrals in London. It’s welcoming – a culture that I understand, and understands me (don’t have to hide my cross necklace). It’s exciting – finally, to see the true Lord upon the throne (no creepy elephant-gods). It’s inspiring – a testament to the history of my faith (that doesn’t yet exist in my newborn baby of a home country).
Our first day in England, Gary and I took a walk around the neighborhood by our hostel, and just happened to bump into a beautiful old cathedral (not a difficult feat in London!). We couldn’t pass up the opportunity to explore, and soon found ourselves marveling at the phenomenal architecture and artistry.
Being me, though, its just not enough to look around, say a prayer, and snap a picture for the scrapbook. I can’t just say ‘wow’. I have to ask, ‘what is it, exactly, that evokes this response within me? Am I responding to the presence of a Holy God, or is it just a human reaction to the candles, stained glass, and high ceilings?’
There’s a huge part of me, that says ‘Yes, this is amazing!’, for our Lord is so worthy of the beauty and the effort that goes into the detail of such an amazing building. The Buddhists and Hindus do such an incredible job of serving, and honoring their ‘gods’… how much more should we be honoring our true Lord? Shouldn’t we be demonstrating a greater faith and devotion to our God, who has revealed Himself to us, and given Himself to us for our salvation?
But then, I look around at the statues and carvings gathering dust, and wonder, what if all the money that paid for the gold leaf on this ceiling had instead gone to feed the poor? I think of the faces of the orphans I held, just days ago, and I just know, deep within my soul that Jesus is more honored when we care for the needy than when we gaze adoringly at pretty mosaics.
The Bible says
‘Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?’ (1 Cor 3:16)
Yes, our Lord is indeed worthy of the finest temples in the world. But what if the lives of Christians were more awe-inspiring than Westminster Abbey, Notre Dame, and the Taj Mahal all combined? What if the lost and searching of the world didn’t have to look for a place to find God, but could see Him all over us? This is my heart’s desire… that my very life would be more beautiful, pleasing and honoring to the Lord, than any feat of architecture; that He would be worshipped indoors and out, and that He would love others through me.
Oh Lord, may You always be honored by my life. May others around me clearly see You in me. May my body be the temple that You deserve. Please continue to reveal Yourself in mighty ways, and draw me closer and closer to You. Amen.
