Written January 2nd, 2012
temple. I’ve heard of it. I’ve wondered the meaning behind the Buddhist statues
in businesses I’ve gone into in America especially the nail salons where a lot
of foreigners work. Never though have I ever seen them worship them until
today.
Today we went to the center of Khon Kaen to do a prayer walk
around the temples. The beauty of these idols blows you away. They are
intricate, delicate, beautiful and yet completely empty, hopeless, meaningless.
People come to offer their “sacrifices” in hopes of a blessing from their gods.
There were both Hindu and Buddhist gods here. People bring clothing, food,
money in hopes of a blessing; of a happy successful life.
I watched as people shook cans with numbers in them waiting
for a number to jump out so that they knew what sacrifice to bring. These
numbers corresponded with various items that people would purchase to offer
their gods. I watched as people knelt before different statues, burning incense
in their hands and whispering their requests, praises or prayers to whatever
god or temple or idol they felt they needed.
My heart broke.
There was a complete sense of emptiness here; hopelessness.
There was no joy, no laughter. I wanted to shake these people awake! To scream
at them not because they were worshiping a god, not out of anger, but out of
sadness. I wanted to be able to share with them the joy and hope of Jesus.
Problem was, many of them speak no English. All I had was prayer and yet I
didn’t even know what to pray for; so I cried.
I think in that moment I saw and felt what God feels every
time his child leaves him, abandons him – sadness.
I can only pray. Pray that the Christians of
Khon Kaen, of Thailand, rise up. That they step out in faith to bring others
into a joyful, loving relationship with Christ. That God breaks the chains of
repression, spiritual confusion, frustration; that God softens the hearts of
these people, that the blinders on their eyes are removed and they see the
greatness of having a relationship with Jesus Christ.
