Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Curiosity or Compassion?
“But when he [Jesus] saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.” Matthew 9:36
As I was driving the 2 hour trip to Kaoshiung the other day, I was once again struck by the beauty of the mountains here in Taiwan. Malcom and I used to make that trip weekly to teach bible college classes. It had now been about two years since I had traveled that highway. However, it wasn’t just the beautiful scenery that drew my attention, but the sight of a large idol—a gold Buddha probably 10 stories tall set in the mountain side, towering over the land. My heart was gripped with sadness as I reflected that such a sight was common in this country, and indeed symbolized the very real stronghold that Satan has on the Taiwanese people.
I am reminded of the first year we lived in Taiwan about 34 years ago. At that time we were here with the US Air Force. While many Americans and other tourists enjoyed visiting the temples to view the architecture and see the worship practices of a different culture, I could never enjoy a moment of it. For once you look upon people through the eyes of Jesus, it is compassion that grips you, not curiosity. Then the dilemma is presented: the harvest is great but the laborers are few (vs. 37).
Taiwan is still a very spiritually needy mission field. But there’s a shortage of laborers and the numbers are fewer than a year ago. I’m praying to the “Lord of the harvest” that someone will move from simply curiosity to true compassion.
Labels: idols, missions, Taiwan
12 Comments:
Carol,
Thanks for reflecting!
Was sweet.
With compassion,
Mike
Birmingham, Alabama
Carol,
If Mr. Turton could only see the real passion of your heart, he would know that it is not hate that grips you. Keep on making a difference for the cause of Christ.
Carole
My Friend,
I thought about how that drive might affect you. I remember how you used to write about your going ( every Tuesday?) and I knew it would bring many thoughts and memories to your heart and mind. I can imagine the gripping burden the large image brought. My prayers and love are with you....Lovingly, M
Mr. Turton: Who are you - how may I contact you...and why in the world would you come to my sisters blog that was created to share her and Malcom's journey thru the perils of cancer and post a hateful comment like that without knowing anything about her? please contact me at al_hursh@hotmail.com. My name is Alice Hursh - my sister is Carol Feistel and she is ANYTHING but gripped by hate.
How do I find your thankful list? I remember reading it when you first mentioned it, but haven't revisited it in awhile. See you soon for graduation!
Carole
Here is the link for my 1,000 gifts list:
http://cfeistel.spaces.live.com/
I haven't updated it since December. Yikes! Thanks for prompting me to do that...
Don't you just love the people that troll around just to be rude. So Sad. I was very impressed to see that you had been there for 34 years. WOW!
Jungle mom, actually we were here only for 1 year 34 years ago, then returned 8 years later as missionaries.
The nay-sayers don't bother me. I'm in good company...just read Nehemiah!
I am native-born Taiwaner and have been around by those temple "beauty" and teample activites as I grew up. But never did I have a real chance to look closely at them, until a couple of months ago when I had to visit them for my study. At first I looked at those people with curiousity, but later wtih compassion. According to the classmates who did the study with me, there were some rules to obey in entering any of the temples; one of them is that you bai-bai (拜拜）before entering, even when you don't even know what "god" lives in there. Well, how do you worship someone you don't even know? For them, it is to secure them not to be harmed by some "unknown." But if they know our Saviour, they wouldn't need that to bring security.
Shirley
Thank you for your comments, Shirley. It's not the culture that needs changing, it's the eternal destiny of those blinded by idol worship (and call it culture) that needs to be changed. I hope more Taiwanese will catch the vision!
Well, that is so true, people tend to call this kind of thing "culture" and hold the view that we can't disrespect any of the cultures. Worse than that, even Chrisitans agree with the existence of some "cultures" and use them to criticise the Scriptures. Frankly speaking, I have, unconsciously become one of them and was just reminded that we should do it the other way round, that is, to use the Scriptures to examine our (crooked) modern cultures.
Carol, what a touching post. You are truly a woman after God's own heart.
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