China and Thailand are countries that worship idols. “Spirit houses” (picture a really extravagant bird house) can be found outside most houses and businesses, while temples devoted to Buddha are on every corner; they believe that spirits should have a place to stay if they’re roaming by…and they even have ladders for the ones that may not have wings to fly.
Honestly, I did my best to ignore these things for much of the past two months. I viewed it as a part of the culture, something that’s passed down from generation to generation. That is, until we went prayer walking and walked smack into a massive temple known as the pillar of the city. I had only glanced inside other temples, but I decided to walk into this one to pray.
There were apples and other food offerings for people’s ancestors; parents believe that they have to raise their children to respect them so they will give them food when they pass into the after-life. There were incense, flowers, and hundreds upon hundreds of elephant and clown-like figurines. It looked like a carnival threw up on the alter. I was overwhelmed to put it lightly.
I walked up closely to the idols on the altar and stared them in the face; they gave the impression of joy with their vibrant colors and smells, but they’re lifeless little figurines that have nothing to offer but emptiness. Emily, Leah, and I were talking about how the hearts of the Chinese and Thai people are in bondage because of these idols. While we were having this conversation, I saw a steel candleholder containing burning candles at the front of the altar. Upon examination of the candleholder, I noticed a heart-shaped piece of metal hanging from something that resembled that of a padlock. I was amused by the irony that the actual idol symbolized bondage.
Then, I was struck with the thought that these people know nothing about Christ. Their entire lives are based on the pursuit of something that doesn’t exist. How is it fair that these people grow up in a culture where they are taught to worship Buddha, while I’ve been told about Christ since I was a child? It made me angry. And then I stopped, looked around at the disgusting lies, and fell on my knees in prayer for Thailand.
I realized that I was feeling jealousy. I was jealous for the hearts of these people. Jealous that they love other gods besides the one true God. I was hurt and torn by what was in front of me; then I thought about how much it must hurt God’s heart to see His children live this way. To choose sight over faith. Death over life.
Although most Americans don’t worship physical idols, don’t we idolize other things in our hearts? So often we do our own thing and pursue things that don’t really matter in the grand scheme of things. We’re so cautious to examine ourselves, but quick to label people that are “counting it all as lost” and devoting their lives to God as Jesus freaks and radicals. Interesting isn’t it? That I had to travel all the way to Thailand and live in a Buddhist country to realize that I’ve worshiped idols in many forms and fashions; that I often fail miserably at loving God with the entirety of my heart.
I don’t always get it right and neither will you. The great thing about God is that His mercies are new each day. If I failed yesterday, He’s already forgotten. He says that if I SEEK Him then I will FIND Him. How much or how little I find of Him depends on my willingness to SEEK. It always has. It always will. No candles to burn, no food to give. Just walking forward joyfully with blind faith.
