That is so true. Last week's "sightseeing" was not of the Tokyo Tower or Imperial Palace. We saw the people of Japan, a nation spearheading modern technology yet running on a system of customs and superstitions seemingly incongruent to it.
pic at left: near our home, a helpless idol
It was apparent that the image had been decapitated, and it had been plastered back together by human hands. Long-since neglected, the face had bird droppings, spider webs, pupae, and--you can't see it by this picture--but there were ants crawling up the side of its now barely recognizable face. No doubt about it: no reasoning Japanese would think this to be a powerful god; but as mentioned earlier, he would, however, give worship to the spirit given expression by the idol.
I wonder, would others, by looking at me, see a living, powerful, attractive God they would want to worship too? Or do I often "lose my head" and need human help to get through life? Have I neglected my inner life to the extent it is no longer distinct from the "walking death" of the world surrounding me, and I am no longer bothered by the sins clinging to my heart? As a Christian, what kind of image do I present of my God?
