Where is Jesus?

Oaxaca has many beautiful Catholic churches. They are works of art—grand and ornately decorated with gold, flowers, intricate carvings and paintings. The church doors are almost always open here. People come to offer prayers, light candles or leave flowers at the feet of the saints or Mary. I often enter these churches, as well, but it is not for the same reason. I come to pray for the people of Oaxaca.

A couple weeks ago, I went in to one of the main churches, located in the Zocalo. (The town square) As I quietly walked around praying and looking at the different statues, a question came to my mind. “Where is Jesus?” It actually took a minute to “find” Him because His statue was much smaller and lower than the main grouping of statues in the center of the building. Mary was the principal figure in the middle, and then there were angels, a couple of saints, and finally, Jesus.

It gave me a renewed understanding about the way the people of Mexico think about God. Mary is the primary focus of religion here and the saints hold a divine position, as well. Jesus is considered God’s Only Son and they would agree that He died on the cross for our sins. However, from the artwork in the church, that seems to be where the message ends.

There are so many other rituals added in and so much guilt, that the freedom and grace of Christ is overlooked. Instead, prayers must be offered, candles lit, good deeds done or you will be subjected to the wrath of God. They are searching for a way to earn God’s favor, but they can never be sure that they have it, until they meet the loving, forgiving Jesus.

Please will you join me in praying for the people of Oaxaca? Jesus said that if He is lifted up, He will draw all men to Himself. (John 12:32) Please pray that Jesus will be exalted through those of us who do have a personal relationship with Him and that God will open the eyes of those who are blinded by traditions that direct their focus away from Jesus. Instead of Mary, angels and the saints being the center of attention, let’s pray that the people of Oaxaca find Jesus.

Visiting Day

He was looking forward to this moment all week long. After 6 days of labor, it finally arrived - Visiting Day! The man with the keys arrived to swing open the large, heavy doors. The cold, gray hall springs to life in the warm glow of light. He could hardly control his emotions. The families began to arrive. He peers from the corner of the room longing for the first glimpse of his loved ones.

He lives for the weekends. He lives for these visits. He watches intently as the cars arrive. He loves them so and would do anything for them. They embrace, eat a light lunch and reminisce about how things used to be. At one point, they break into singing, with interruptions of laughter and applause.

But all too soon it is over. A tear comes to his eyes as they depart. Then the man with the keys closes the heavy doors. He hears the key turn in the lock marking the end of a special day. There he stands, alone again. He knows that most of his visitors will not contact him again until next week. The last car pulls away from the parking lot... Jesus retreats into loneliness as He waits until next Sunday - Visiting Day.
-- Author Unknown

Cold Showers

Here is Mexico, you have to purchase gas tanks in order to heat your water and cook on the stove. Just before bed last night, my gas ran out. Normally, this isn’t a big deal, but at 5:00am, when you climb in the shower and the water is cold enough to produce goose-bumps and chattering teeth, it quickly moves up your “to-do” list. Needless to say, my reaction wasn’t exactly, “Praise the Lord!” but more like, “Please God, get me through this!”

This afternoon the gas guy was supposed to come with my new tanks, but the company called and said that they will not be coming until tomorrow morning. I explained, whined, pleaded, and even called other companies, but they all insisted they could not come until the morning. I’m ashamed to admit it, but my emotions cracked after the last call. I had a “moment.” But, because God loves me so much, He didn’t allow me to wallow for long without correcting me. God reminded me of Jonah.

Jonah had his issues. He didn’t want to go when or where God called him. He ran away, but God caught up with him and turned him around. After being thrown up from a whale, Jonah finally obeyed God and delivered His warning to the Ninevites. Then, Jonah went up on a hill to wait for God to destroy them. When the people of Nineveh repented and God had compassion on them, Jonah got mad and basically pouted. In order to teach Jonah a lesson, God provided a vine that produced shade for him and then God provided a worm to kill the vine, causing it to dry up and wither. This was frustrating to Jonah and caused him to want to die. The story concludes with God saying, “You have been concerned about this vine, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. But Nineveh has more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left, and many cattle as well. Should I not be concerned about that great city?” (Jonah 4:10-11)

I won’t have hot water tomorrow morning when I wake up, but I will have Jesus. How many thousands of people here in the city of Oaxaca can say that? May God break my heart with what breaks His. May He give me compassion for the lost and a heart to intercede for them. That is what is really important.