Inviting-Not!

A portion of the road to Wiang Kaen follows the Mekong River.  Perched on a hill on a bend in the river is a stupa and Buddhist shrine.

Interestingly, there is no name of this place posted along the road. There is a staircase from main road up to the stupa (though it does not get used much because it is also possible to drive up).  On either side of the stair case are these interesting statues.  One is a man holding a scythe, the other is a man wielding a club.





 

I'm not sure how the locals interpret these statues.  But what I DON'T read is "Welcome, come on up," or "We're glad you're here."  It looks more like they are saying, "we dare you to come up."  In my eyes, this is anything but welcoming.

What a contrast to how we see God depicted in the Bible.  We have an invitational God.  In the Old Testament, we see God was welcoming the alien and stranger.

He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing.  Love the sojourner, therefore, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt. (Deuteronomy 10:18, 18 ESV)

The temple was to be a  place where everyone was invited to come pray.

these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations. (Isaiah 56:7 NIV) 

Jesus welcomed all people.  He invites people to follow him. He invites the weary to come find rest. He invites even children into his presence.

Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. (John 14:23 ESV)

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28 ESV)

but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”  (Matthew 19:14 ESV)

God is a welcoming God.

But what about us?  Are we as inviting as Jesus was?

I have not seen any strange statues outside our church buildings that would deter people from entering.  But sometimes the buildings themselves can be quite intimidating.  In an historically non-Christian culture like we find in Thailand, very few people would dare go into a church building unless they are already believers or they are pretty much ready to receive Christ.

We believers can be a bit intimidating as well.  Sometimes our speech or behavior can be less than inviting.

I pray that my life would not be like these statues below the stupa, but that it would bear testimony to our God who welcomes all who come to Him.