My Examination

I am reading a book called The Death of a Guru by Rabi R. Maharaj.  It's an autobiography of [Rabi] who grew up in Trinidad as a Hindu [who later becomes a follower of Jesus of Nazareth].  I am not even half way through and it is already given me more insight than I've ever had on this religion as Rabi intricately recalls events, conversations, thoughts, information of his life and Hinduism.

As I was reading and pondering the intense, ACTIVE devotion these people have for these many false gods, I can't help but wonder why more people are like that here in the US.  It seems that the majority of people who are devout in some type of religion are those who belong to another continent, another culture.  Take Hindi's for example.  They hunger to worship something, anything.  They worship cows and delight in serving them, they worship people, living or dead, they adorn their house with statues or pictures of gods. They attend ceremonies, are sent away to schools, spend hours upon hours in meditation, sometimes even neglecting their families and responsibilities.  Parents are consistent in teaching their children in their ways.  And that's only a brief summary of what I know.

It's easy to see that the Hindi's have given their lives to their false gods... and with that inevitably to the devil.  People are hungry for worship.  So where is this hunger for worship with the people in my own town, state, country?  Is what we hunger for a little more subtle that a statue of a god?  

As I reflect on these questions, many things are brought to mind.  I observe the adornments in the homes, luxury, comfort, wealth.  I see the attendance of a band's concert; the adoration of a person who can sing well.  The revenue of the movie industry and the applause from an actor as they win an award.  The pursuit of great knowledge and wisdom.  I see the crave of power or fame.  The obsession of vanity and model-esque beauty.  I see the man addicted to drugs.  The neglecting of families to pursue your ultimate dream and become the best at that instead of being the best at being a parent.  The list goes on...

I realize that our tendencies are all the same, they just play our differently.  It is in our hearts to worship.  Just like the Hindi boy, I wonder if I too have been deceived from birth by these things that don't seem bad but just the way things are.  It's really easy for us to say to the Hindi who becomes a believer in Jesus, "Get rid of everything associated with Hinduism.  Burn up all the pictures, destroy all the statues, completely devoid your life of everything you've ever known and built your life on since birth," which is what they should WANT to do if they are truly repentant and Jesus has really captured their heart, yet it's really hard for us to believe that for ourselves.  We continue to live the lives we've lived since birth.  Live in luxury, comfort, always getting what we want, not really changing anything about our lifestyle and thoughts.  It's rampant in the church today.  It begs to ask the question, does Jesus really have our full heart?  

I think we hunger just as much for worship as any other person, it is just not towards a god who has a name or its own religion.  Its the idea that we can serve the God of the Bible and the world simultaneously.  Are we making compromises in our lives that are interpreted as, "I can have the best of both worlds" - one that loves Jesus and also has a great, wonderful life in which there is no cost?  Man, are we missing out or what on what Jesus really has in store for us?!  

I think an examination is due.  What consumes your thoughts, controls your money and time, defines your life?  What has your heart?

Matthew 6:24 - No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other.  You cannot serve both God and wealth.

O, God.  Protect me and shield my heart.  Keep me from the evil one.  Help me to fear your Holy name and give my life for you.  Help me to count the cost and co unt it all as loss for the sake of knowing you.  You are worth it.