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Straight to the Cross

Pray for Mike and Brenda Brooks's safety and success
as they work in Nepal and India. http://wp.me/PN0pP-6


COLUMN: FIELD NOTES

Given Over to Idols
  By Michael E. Brooks

   "Now while Paul waited for them at Athens,
   his spirit was provoked within him when he
   saw that the city was given over to idols"
   (Acts 17:16 NKJV).

I am traveling in the Hindu-dominated countries of
Nepal and India. It is the Dashain Holiday, the major
festival of Hinduism (though there are several of great
significance to them). Dashain is the Nepali name. The
same holiday is commonly called "Durga Puja" in India.
Durga is a popular Hindu goddess honored by all of that
religion. Puja means worship or adoration.

As we walk through the city where we are staying we
frequently pass temporary "temples" made of bamboo
poles covered with cloth to resemble a pagoda or other
style temple. In these structures, usually built by
neighbors cooperating together, there are statues,
paintings, and various implements of worship. Priests
conduct rituals; singers and musicians perform. There
is food served, and much fellowship and festivity
throughout.

Whenever I come to South Asia I am aware of the many
temples, shrines and idols to the millions of deities
worshiped here. But during the festival season I come
to a renewed appreciation of what it means to be "given
over to idols". Shops and offices change their
schedules according to the days or times of special
observation. New temporary structures are erected
everywhere, crowding an already greatly overpopulated
city. Multitudes throng the streets so that vehicles
find it difficult to move, and taxis or other
transportation are almost impossible to find.

Huge numbers of Indians and Nepalis travel to be with
their families at this time. Everyone is dressed in
their best clothing. Every indication is that their
total concentration and interest is in the festival and
the religious activities that comprise it. For this
season at least they are "given over to [their] idols."

Hindus are not the only people to be totally given over
to religion or to some other interest.

There are sports fans whose lives revolve around their
team's schedule. There are businessmen who labor for
success almost every waking moment. Some have similar
devotion to a political party, or a special cause. For
many their obsession is self -- they spend all
available time in exercise, beauty preparations, or
perhaps in education or in the search for personal
wealth.

How many Christians exhibit such zeal and passion for
Christ and his church? We read about such fanaticism in
the New Testament. "And daily in the temple, and in
every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching
Jesus as the Christ" (Acts 5:42). "Woe is me if I do
not preach the gospel" (1 Corinthians 9:16).

Without question this kind of overriding interest in
Jesus and the gospel is still alive today. Many
Christians spend long hours in prayer, Bible reading,
and sharing their love of Christ with others. Many are
devoted to good works such as helping the needy,
ministering to the sick, and teaching children. Others
are evangelists and missionaries, traveling far in
difficult circumstances to preach where Jesus is
unknown.

But though there are many of whom these things may be
said, it is also true that many who claim to believe in
Jesus and serve him are indifferent and casual in their
service. If they assemble to worship him for a few
hours per week, or month, they consider that sufficient
evidence of their faith. Little real effort is made to
actually serve him by involvement in his work, or in
meeting the needs of others.

It saddens me to see millions of people "given over" to
a goddess who only exists in the form of an image or
picture, while millions who believe in the true and
living God offer him only a token of honor and love.

We can do better. If our faith is worth having, it is
worth committing real zeal and real effort towards. May
the world see a church "given over" to Christ.

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