 Everyone who knows me, knows that I love history. I can’t resist the urge to visit sites of historical significance and piece together the journey of nations, seeking to understand the decisions and events that shaped their path. The next step is to learn from them. In my latest stopover in Paris, I decided to visit the Pantheon. The building was impressive to say the least, but what was disturbing, was to see how it had become a monument, a temple to man. The pantheon is a modern mausoleum for those who are recognized as great in France. The list of names that are buried here are impressive, and at the same time sad. While there is no doubt that many of the entombed contributed to France and society, there are also some who, sadly, contributed to it turning its back on God. Indeed, some of those buried here devoted their lives to promoting the nation above all else, promoting man above all else. They denied God and created new gods of man or the state, founders of a new idolatry and this is their temple. This reminded me of a story in the Bible. After Saul had been partially obedient to God, he chose to build a monument in his own honor (1 Samuel 15). Now we know that being partially obedient is being disobedient, but Saul did enough to convince himself that he had done what God had asked. It caused me to reflect on my life and ask the question, “Where am I building monuments in my honor?” Another way of saying it would be, where am I putting my achievements, my goals and dreams above God. It happens so easily. I can go to church, read my Bible here and there and convince myself that I am being obedient. Meanwhile day to day I work at advancing my academic career, pursuit of wealth and success, building my image and my brand. More concerned with how people see me, than how they see God. I can serve my dream, my climb up the ladder and place second the things which I have been asked to do. We are called to know God, to love and serve others, to be generous, to pursue character, be obedient to His word. I can do enough that I can convince myself that I am following God, while all the time working on the monument in my honor. I contrast this with Revelation 4 where the elders around the throne take off their crowns and lay them at God’s feet, saying “You are worthy”. A recognition that it is all because of Him and it was all for Him. One of the marks of the great Cathedrals of Europe is that nobody knows who built them, only who they are built for. Whose Kingdom am I building, day to day in the small decisions and actions that I take? I walk into the Pantheon and there is no question who is worshiped there. My body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, when people look at me, can they see who is being worshiped by me, in me?  |
