One of the most striking takeaways for me from our recent trip to Thailand was the plethora of Buddhist shrines and temples. This particularly stood out as we drove three hours through the mountains of northern Thailand to get to the town where the Canfields live. Jutting out of the side of virtually every mountain was a large shrine or temple. There were also shrines along the highway that were connected to specific tracts of land. In front of every building or shop was a “spirit house” in which offerings were to be presented. There were certain city blocks towered over by statues of Buddha rising to the sky.
In the Old Testament, God’s people are commanded to have one central place for worship. One of the reasons for that was to be reminded that there is only one true God, and he rules over all. However, this command was largely not kept, and many shrines and temples were built throughout the land, often referred to in the Bible as “high places.” Scholars have presented two predominant reasons behind this. First, it was more convenient to have places of worship close by. Second, places of higher altitude were often connected to possessing control of a certain area. And thus, idolatry sprung up around the seeming motivations of convenience and control.
We may not have physical shrines or temples that we have erected for worship, but the powerful forces of convenience and control can easily become idols that we worship. With regard to convenience, the Christian life is not very conducive to allowing us drift toward the path of least resistance. Rather, following Christ requires dying to ourselves and our own self interests. With regard to control, the relinquishment of “being our own boss” is at the core of surrendering to Christ. Where and how are you tempted to bow to the idols of convenience and/or control? May we continually ask the Lord to protect us against drifting toward these appealing temptations.
Ben