I am no expert on world religions. The more countries I travel to, the more cultures I see, the religious practices I witness, I realize that there are so many things I don’t understand. I’ve see Buddhist temples, Islamic mosques, and Hindu shrines. With each place, I’ve had the different practices explained to me and I’ve tried to understand. We went to a Hindu temple called the Batu Caves when we were in Malaysia. (Check out my Batu Caves blog to see more!) Our local friend was explaining to us the pilgrimage that many people make there once a year. They will travel for miles and miles with some sort of burden on their back, or maybe some sharp object piercing through their lip, cheek or nose. They inflict some sort of physical pain on themselves while they make this journey, all with the hope of appeasing their god.
Entrance to the Batu Caves.
This has been the major characteristic that I have seen amongst all these religions — they are trying to appease their god and make sure that they are “okay” in his sight. There is never any guarantee that any of these gods are accepting of the peoples sacrifice or rituals that they put themselves through. If they are consistent and do these things, of course there is a greater chance that they’ll be fine, but they never know for sure.
You see statues like this everywhere you turn — and there is always an offering in front. The people make these offerings three times a day.
A few weeks ago I was walking back to our hostel and I passed a woman begging on the side of the road. Not having much money, and being warned against handing money to beggars, I gave her the apple I had been saving for a snack. A nearby taxi driver noticed and commented how good karma was coming my way for that action. I assured him it wasn’t for the karma that I did it. The other day, my team and I were handing out notes of encouragement with scripture to the shop keepers and tourists on the street. One shop keeper asked me if I was doing it because of Jesus. (I was shocked to here him mention Jesus’ name!) I told him yes, and he then asked if Jesus would give me good gifts because of my actions. I immediately assured Him that my actions weren’t based on anything I may receive. “Jesus loves me”, I told Him, “and I just want you to know that He loves you too!”
More offerings at these cliffs next to a famous temple in Uluwatu, Bali.
These things have really stood out to me since we arrived in Southeast Asia. It causes me to reflect on how great of a God I serve. The fact that He sent His Son here to live among us and to ultimately die so that we would not have to bear the weight of our sins blows my mind. He took all that pain and suffering so that we don’t have to. And yet so many people have yet to know this! They put themselves through hell so that maybe they can die at peace. In reality, it is by the wounds of Christ that we are healed; through the stripes that He bore, we are given redemption. When we live with this in mind, I think our actions turn from duty based, to an outpouring of love for our King. It is my prayer that we can translate that truth to the people here. “Good karma”, is a term we all hear so often, but I’m so thankful to have a Savior that loves me and accepts me because of what He has done, and never because of my actions.
“But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5
Tonight, we are flying out of Bali, back to Jakarta for a day, before we make our way to Thailand. After four and a half months with the Diamonds, we will be having team changes in Thailand. God has blessed me and taught me through each of these women. We are all sad that we won’t be together anymore, but I know that the Lord has big plans and good things for us in our new teams. New squad leaders will be raised up as well and our current squad leaders (previous world racers) will be going home. Please be in prayer for the team as well as the whole squad as we adjust to all of these new transitions and changes that are about to come our way.
Also, three of my teammates are not yet fully funded. Please consider making a donation to them so they can stay on the field! Their names are Kirsty, Mariah, and Lauren. You can find them and hear their stories by clicking on their picture to the right of this page.
With love,
Naomi
