Reading Philemon in Bangkok

Here we are, Ruth and i, sitting in our room in Asia Hotel, early morning, doing QT. It's a strange disconnect between shopping at jatuchak most of yesterday, looking at all there temples, and reading Paul's plea from prison for love among christian brothers. if Paul was in my situation, if would have cried out on the streets for repentance and seeing opportunities and need everywhere for the good news. Yet, we modern day believers, see only shopping opportunities and authentic local culture.

Sometimes it does strike me that we're too content to praise God for his wonderful creation and enjoying what He has blessed us with, that we fail to balance it with mission zeal, the sense that the good news is just waiting to burst out of our chests. I've struggled with this while diving, am struggling with this even here and now. Over grace at dinner yesterday, i felt ashamed to thank god for the wonderful food, and praying for a wonderful holiday, AND at the same time asking that we'll be prepared to do his will and follow his commands. We're totally ignoring his great commandment!

As tourists too, we often see the waiting staff as just that. but in Paul's eyes, slaves waiting on him were witness opportunities, souls to be saved. Sometimes when we say It's God that works to save, that we become complacent and lazy.