In the 1970's, we were given a trip to Acapulco, Mexico. It
was exciting to see and experience the Mexican culture, beautiful buildings, market
places, exotic restaurants and a
beautiful hotel on the beach of Acapulco Bay.
From the beach, looking back towards the mountains , I remember seeing
some kind of huge monument which drew my attention. I originally thought it was probably some
historic spot which reflected their culture or religion. Although a visit to
the monument was not listed on our tour, it still fascinated me and I kept
wondering what it was all about. I
researched it when I got back home and learned it was a monument erected to two
American investors who had taken a chance and a lot of money and transformed
Acapulco from a tiny Mexican fishing village, to one of the most popular
tourist locations on the globe. The citizens of Acapulco had all, in one way or
another, improved their economic status because of those two men, so in a
culture that was always anxious to build a monument, it seemed only natural to
build one for these men that had changed their lives.
One time Paul visited a city and was amazed at all the
monuments and structures he saw, because each one had been built in honor of
various "gods." Perhaps there
was a monument for the god of the sun, the god of rain, the god of
mothers-in-law......the list is endless. In fact, for everything that you can
name that was a priority to someone in that city, it had a monument. These were
places where the gods of everything could be worshiped and adored.
I can imagine the look on Paul's face when he read the
inscription on one monument and it said, "To an Unknown God." Just in case these people had overlooked some
god , and they sure didn't want any god to be mad at them for being left out,
they had this one built for the Unknown god. Or perhaps there was a god that
was greater than all their gods put together, and although they did not know
him or what to call him, they sure
wouldn't want that one left out either. Here's what Paul said to them, recorded
by Luke in Acts 17, "For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your
worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, 'TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.'
Therefore what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you." Paul used the opportunity to teach them the
God who is unknown to them, can be known, and loved, and worshiped, and adored.
We worship some strange things these
days; popularity, prestige, money, worldly goods. Perhaps we should examine our
priorities; our devotions; the objects we worship. Ask yourself, what comes
first in your life....WHO comes first in your life?
<ronbwriting@yahoo.com>
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