Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Reverance and relationship...




One of the attributes that I appreciate in many of the churches found in Mexico is the sense of reverence that they inspire. The church's Gothic architecture--the spiraling steeples reaching toward the sky outside, along with the monumental and ornate ceilings inside--rouse a sense of awe and respect when you visit.

Unfortunately, a ritualistic form of religion is practiced in most instances--an impoverished alternative to the relationship we can have with the living God through Jesus Christ. On the other hand, it seems our temptation in America sometimes is to swing too far in the direction of comfort. In so doing, perhaps we lose some of the respect and reverence that we should have for Jesus Christ the Lord. "...that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father." Philippians 2:10,11