This week we have experienced many struggles in Kathmandu as Nepal's unofficial border blockade with Nepal resulted in major gasoline, diesel, and liquid petroleum (cooking gas) shortages. We have many friends and neighbors that have run out of cooking gas. Favorite restaurants have had to change their menu (or close because they are without gas) to accommodate the foods they can prepare. Taxi prices have doubled (at least!)
It is interesting to see everyone clamoring for supplies. We, too, have tried to get cooking gas (to no avail) because we are on our last cylinders.
And yet, as we see vehicles lined up everywhere like those pictured above, I cannot help but think if they knew their need for a savior... which is much more important and much more real than their need for petroleum products... There would be lines just as long or longer to receive salvation.
It breaks my heart to think about the absolute need for a savior the people living here have - and yet they are oblivious to the salvation that is available to them. There are so many people here in South Asia - the need is so incredibly huge! I know God's heart breaks over the lostness here... surely the Lord is calling out people to come and be witness to the salvation provided through Jesus.
It breaks my heart to think about the absolute need for a savior the people living here have - and yet they are oblivious to the salvation that is available to them. There are so many people here in South Asia - the need is so incredibly huge! I know God's heart breaks over the lostness here... surely the Lord is calling out people to come and be witness to the salvation provided through Jesus.
And yet, every society has some priorities wrong. I have seen people in my hometown lined up in cues for football games... or amusement park rides... that were just as long. I remember being at six flags Atlanta and seeing a sign for a ride that said "two hour wait from this point". We all wait in line for things that we think are important to us. Right now the thing that is most important for people in South Asia is petrol.. and cooking gas. We FEEL that need and so we wait in line for what is vital to our lives.
This makes me think - do we ever wait upon the Lord... REALLY wait upon Him in expectation? Do we place real value on what God has to offer us? Are we living out lives for others to see who he is and what He has done for us? Would you wait 5 hours (like one of our colleagues did for gas) if it was the required wait to hear from God or to get to church? Are we expressing the value of salvation in Christ to others in such a way they place this type of value on the things of the One True God.
And then, let us praise our Lord and Savior that he never sleeps, never slumbers, and that there is never a line to have access to him. There are never crowded lines of communication... because He is big enough to hear all our prayers - at the same time. (talk about another contrast with the religions found here... waiting in line for your turn in front of a small piece of metal or block of stone that can neither hear from you nor talk back.
And then, let us praise our Lord and Savior that he never sleeps, never slumbers, and that there is never a line to have access to him. There are never crowded lines of communication... because He is big enough to hear all our prayers - at the same time. (talk about another contrast with the religions found here... waiting in line for your turn in front of a small piece of metal or block of stone that can neither hear from you nor talk back.
Things to think about
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