February 19, 2008 – 2:07 pm (GMT +5:30) – Chennai, India
Praise the Lord,
There are some phrases that are universal within in Christianity despite their original language. Such as Hallelujah, at least it is spoken universally and I hope most people know what it means. Some other good examples are Amen, Abba, maybe even Sabbath. “Praise the Lord” seems to be a pretty universal phrase as well. In Africa almost any Christian you talked to, no matter how poor their English, will immediately respond to this phrase repeating it, “Praise the Lord.” It is sometimes usually very difficult to communicate with many of these people. Even when they speak English it can be hard to understand one another. I pray the Lord will help me to grow in my communication abilities while over here, but in the mean time we keep struggling. And yet this phrase is perfectly clear to them and me.
It is a reminder of our unity despite our difference. One Lord – One Faith – One Hope. It is a reminder of why we are over here: to help them teach others that simple phrase, “Praise the Lord.” I phrase which can only truly be uttered by those who know their sins are forgiven in Christ Jesus. Without that knowledge it is impossible to Praise God, for as Martin Luther knew all too well, without that knowledge God is simply a mean vindictive tyrant. It is a reminder that it isn’t my God versus their God. It is our God. I just finished reading a book in which the author speaks of how religion is a good thing as long as it doesn’t produce a “my god is greater than your god” mentality. But how completely he misses the point. There is no versus because there is no difference. There is only one God, and one race of men. And true religion before the one true God never divides but only unites. There is no mine and yours before God but only ours and His. Showing people the truth that there is only one God, who created us all, is to show them our unity in Him.
As we approach Holy Week this phrase also reminds me of another universal word. Universal not because everyone knows it, though I believe a good number of people are familiar with it, but universal in its application.: Tetelestai. The final cry of Christ on the cross, “It is finished.” Probably most of the Indians in church this last week haven’t heard that particular word and wouldn’t understand me if I said. But they sure no what it means. Satan is finished, sin is finished, guilt is gone, the war is over. Since the 6th day of creation when God spoke and man lived, there has never been nor will ever again be a word spoken with greater universal impact. The payment for all sin of all men throughout all time is forever finished and paid for. Christ did not say time for a break, I’ll finish after lunch, He said, “It is done.”
Do you remember what the very foolish rich man said? “ Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.” This man thought that He was finished and could take his ease without worry, but he had neglected the most important thing. The only thing that really matters in the end. We on the other hand know that the labor for that which is most important, the payment of our sins, is finished. We can say to our souls, “take your ease” because Christ has finished that work, once for all. And because our souls are no longer burdened with the task of their own salvation, we can turn to apply ourselves with grateful and joyful hearts to the work we have before us in the body. The work of spreading Christ’s message. The work of teaching all men that universal cry of Christ, so that they may all universally cry, “Praise the LORD, Jehovah, the maker of heaven and Earth, the savior of my soul.” Whether they ever learn the English or not.
This is now the beginning of the third week that I have been here, approximately 40 days since I left the US. And even as the lord preserved Noah through 40 nights of the worst disaster this world has ever seen, so He has never left my side, and has given me many reasons to repeat that same phrase, “Praise the Lord.” Gifts large and small. On the larger side is the ease and accessibility with which I have been able to communicate with my friends and family. I have seldom gone more than a few days without internet access. On the smaller side, though sometimes it seem more like a larger issue, I have also seldom been without coffee. Maybe not as good as Starbucks, but still coffee. The Indians themselves drink it often. When I was out teaching at the Martin Luther Bible School, we had to stop briefly once in the morning, and once in the afternoon for coffee break. The coffee they drink they serve you in a little cup about the size of a shot glass and they fill it up to the brim. They also drink it hot! Very hot. Which makes it near impossible even to hold on to this cup, which is usually plastic, let alone drink it. They have no problem but I have to let it sit and cool for a little while. Also what they call coffee is more like a cappuccino, though not exactly, its very sweet and definitely has some kind of cream in it, but I’m not sure what else. It’s very good, once it cools down.
The Lord has certainly also blessed the work over here. This last week Dave and I were up at the Martin Luther Bible school teaching. And starting this coming Sunday, I will be gone farther North among many of the rural villages visiting and preaching. There is certainly a great amount of knowledge about God and his word which we take for granted, but they have never heard before. Despite that their faith is clear and evident and vibrant. How often would we think to ask our pastor or even a fellow Christian to pray for. Usually I think only when we are seriously sick, or have another large and dire problem. But after the church service on Sunday, they lined up to ask us to pray to God on their behalf, everything from simple blessings to general guidance, to blessings on up coming school tests. Not just adults but many children as well. A certain girl spent a good deal of time trying to get me to understand what it was that she was asking a prayer for. The only thing she could really say in explanation is 400 marks. I figured it had something to do with school, but I thought she was saying that was the grade she was getting at school. Finally it turns out that she has a big exam she needs to pass and 400 marks is what she needs to pass it. But despite the difficulty of getting me to understand she didn’t give up.
Concerning the Indians in general, one fellow American that I met the other night, put it very well when she said they are just beautiful people inside and out. They love extravagant bright colors, they paint with them, they wear them. And it really does seem to be a reflection of the brightness of their character. They are always smiling, always joking, always content. They live in a world covered with trash and poverty, but they seem to enjoy it far more than most Americans enjoy the perfectly manicured laws, and well swept kitchens of our own luxurious society. Well there are exceptions both ways, but it is hard not to feel as if the vibrant colors haven’t burst out of them simply because they were unable to contain them. “Praise the Lord.”
I mentioned it once already but just to clarify, I will be traveling a bit north of the city the next few weeks, so I may not have opportunity to update pictures and let you all know what is going on. But that just means I’ll return full of pictures and information.
May the blessing of the Universal God, our Savior Jesus Christ, shine upon you all.
Matthew Ude
PS It is a beautiful 29 degrees Celsius (84 f) here with a light breeze and a blue sky.