Written by a Cafe 1040 student

As I stand in the corner of this tiny room and watch as a nation bows down to these statues I see just how hard they work to please their gods. The command of "do not worship false idols/do not have any other gods before me" hit me like a train.

I was seeing first hand the things the Bible warns us against.

If only they knew who lived inside me... I wouldn't mind the staring.

If only they knew the ultimate gift... they wouldn't bow down to that ugly statue. If only they knew what the aroma of Jesus smelled like... they wouldn't burn that incense. 

This was my first Hindu Temple experience. I remember leaving the temple and feeling as if I never wanted to return to one again. Little did I know how much lifting would be done inside of places like this.

Two weeks ago we entered a holy city that was built around a lake. This is where many people go to wash the bad things off of them. It makes them "good". We walked this marble platform in the burning hot sun barefoot. We lifted. I lifted. That the people that clean their bodies in this watering hole would meet Dad. That they would be introduced to the living water.

Shortly after this visit we made our way to a Muslim shrine. They call this the "second Mecca." I would agree it is GIANT and actually very beautiful. BUT possibly the toughest place I've ever stepped foot in. The selling of offerings was sickening and the things they did...all to make their god happy was stomach turning. They work so hard.

How can a nation of people be so lost? How can they have these beautiful colors and flowers surrounding them and instead offer them of up to this god that will never satisfy them?

God quickly asked me to recognize His power. To taste and see that He is still good. That His presence is here. AND that He is THE treasure of the ages. These people just haven't had the chance to hear that.

3.1 billion people are in such a dark place they offer up gifts to a god, yet they haven't heard that they can receive the ultimate gift of life. The gift that doesn't require a bell or a giant mountain top temple... He just wants our hearts. He wants all of us for His glory. He already won the victory.