an idol.

One thing I did not expect when visiting Japan was the experience of going to the temples and shrines. I knew we would, but perhaps expected it to be devoid of any actual spiritual meaning. Never have I seen countless clothed statues, 'healing water,' prayers written out to a 'fox god of rice,' blessings chosen at random and tied to wires, people clapping, bowing, chanting, and praying before golden models.
Ringing bells to wake up the gods.

(That reminds me of when Elijah mocked worshipers of Baal. 'Perhaps he is asleep and must be awakened.')

Several places like this below especially struck me. They were places on the mountain where people had built tiny piles of rocks. It made me think of the remembrances, or 'ebenezers' in the Bible, or the hymn. "Here I raise mine Ebenezer, hither by your help I'm come!" What a thing to raise a monument to. 'Here's my little offering. Notice me.' What god needs such things?
By grace, my feeble attempts to please God are accepted because they are through the Son. But they are not of me.

Being there immediately made me think of Psalm 135.
The idols of the nations are silver and gold, the work of human hands.
They have mouths but do not speak, they have eyes but do not see,
they have ears but do not hear, nor is there any breath in their mouths.
Those who make them become like them; so do all who trust in them.

But what stood out to me was what comes after and I hadn't thought about it before.

Bless the Lord! You who fear the Lord, bless the Lord! O praise the Lord!

Praise Him because he's real. Because he hears and sees and is sovereign. Because he is not a stone.
I cannot fathom how people can bow down to statues. They are blinded. But I also remember that I am no better. I have idols, they just don't take the form of rocks shaped like people. They can be myself, acceptance, material things, comfort, beauty. I still need constant reminders that they can't rule my life.

We are learning.
with love;
Cait