We stood in front of the Shinto Temple marveling at the elaborate architecture and carvings adorning the structure. The grounds were majestically created, meticulously cared for and considered an integral part of the worship experience.
We had been brought here by our host to introduce us to an important aspect of Japanese culture. As President of our Chamber of Commerce I was being hosted by our Japanese sister city’s Chamber President while on a trade mission of sorts to Japan.
My host did his best to explain to me what I was seeing, while the interpreter did his best to translate the communication into English. We were now standing in front of the Shinto Shrine where worshipers would pray.
We were looking at an open altar of sorts that was separated from us by a large box with open slats on the top. This was the offertory box. Above the box was a bell with a rope or ribbon hanging down. There were bulletin boards located adjacent to the altar upon which the Japanese faithful would pin their prayer requests.
What happened next was what astounded me: my host clapped three times very loudly, rang the bell and threw money into the offertory box. He bowed, prayed, and then repeated his earlier actions.
I asked him what he was doing and why he was doing it…
His answer was simple: “I clap and ring the bell to wake up a god. There are millions of gods so I need to make sure someone is awake to listen to my prayer. I throw money in the box to win favour.”
I had never heard anything like that before.
When my host goes to pray he does his best to get a god’s attention to listen to his request and then win its favour by throwing money in a box. What a contrast to our relationship with Jesus.
This experience caused me to reflect on the nature of our relationship with Our Father, the Son and Holy Spirit. Myriad thoughts were rolling through my mind: the fact that God pursues relationship with me, He never sleeps, He is not unconcerned with my life, I cannot earn His favour by throwing money at Him – He imparted His favour on me through the work of Jesus, and so much more…
Our story is diametrically opposed to the nature of this Shinto prayer offering.
God never sleeps, He never slumbers – you never need to be concerned that He is not aware of and engaged in your life. He knows you and wants you to know Him and the depth of His love for you. He is pursuing you. Any desire you have to pursue Him is a result of the work of the Holy Spirit stirring your heart to create a Divine Dissatisfaction.
He is One. There are not millions of gods to plead to for favour. We have one God who knows us, loves us, pursues us and that we can know intimately. He invites us into relationship with Him. He has bestowed His favour upon us in Christ. He has made a way for us to be favoured and beloved sons in the family of God. Our God is not a complacent, distant, uninvolved, demanding, impersonal, dormant, divine dictator.
No, He is awake, alive, engaged, and benevolent. He continues to invite us deeper into His heart for us and through us to others. He has made a way for us, in spite of our sin and shortcomings, to partner with Him in the epic adventure known as the Kingdom of God in us and through us. He is very much alive and well!
Sadly, we tend to be the ones who are asleep. Asleep to all that God has for us and all that He wants to do through us. How often has God attempted to wake us up and we have preferred to stay asleep in our ignorance?
The Lord is not unaware of or uninvolved in our needs. Perhaps though, we are unaware of His plans and purposes in our lives? Perhaps we need to wake up to the heart of God in new ways?
God’s not asleep – are you?
Isaiah 40:28
“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.”
Psalm 121:2-4
“My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip – he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.”
1 Thessalonians 5:6
“So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober.”