Let’s Wisely Utilize Our Privileges

The film actor Amitha Bachen and his family get a special treatment from the temple authorities whenever he visits this temple. In the recent incident, after his son's marriage the family members visited the temple with the newly married couple. For giving them special facility the authorities kept aside thousands of other devotees in dark position. The old people, women and children all waited in the hot sun for hours together for their turn. The devotees agitated over the issue and there was a big commotion in the premises. The temple authorities recently made many changes for the devotees visit. Earlier the devotees are allowed to go very close to the deity and have darshan, but now for the security reason they made the distance to a 30 feet far. They have to be satisfied with that far vision of the idol. But here too the VIPs and VVIPs have some special consideration.

Another temple in South, in Kerala, the famous Sabarimala Temple also was in the news recently in connection with the entry of women in the temple. The women devotees are not permitted to enter into this temple. A women devotee (that too a film actress) entered the temple in disguise a few years back and now the issue is raised up by someone and a big controversy is going on. Another important thing is that the devotees are allowed to enter in this temple, ones in a year. The main gate of sanctum sanctorum opened ones in a year.

Yet another temple in Kerala, The Guruvaayoor temple also was in the news recently. After the thread ceremony of the grand son of a Union Minister the temple poojari (priest) did a shudhikalasam/Punyaham (purification ceremony). The reason is that the minister's wife was a Christian. Non Hindus are prohibited to enter into this temple. This becomes a big issue. Humiliated by this incident the minister's family filed a case against the Poojari and the temple authorities for the ill treatment meted out to the minister's family.

What a tragic and sad situation the devotees of other gods' face. These incidents are classic examples to their sufferings. One God will not allow women devotees, another one shows partiality towards their devotees. But how privileged we are as believers' in Christ. Our God, who is true and living never, shows partiality. Rich or poor, VIP or non-VIP, men or women all are equal before Him. His believers have the full access to approach Him at any time. He the creator of this universe is always available to His devotees. What a wonderful God is our God. But the problem is that, we are not availing or utilizing this great privilege. It is our fault, not using the opportunity and looses the blessings

Our Lord himself urges and taught His disciples the need or necessity of prayer. He said in Matthew chapter 6 "Pray, then, in this way: The famous prayer pattern of our Lord, which we can read in the following verses. ( vv.9-13) Jesus taught His disciples to pray this way; it definitely shows prayer is needed and necessary. One should submit his needs before the Lord. Yes, we are His children, like a child we can go to His presence he loves to hear our voices. It pleases His heart. We can boldly go to His presence and submit our needs before Him, whereas others can't. They go to their gods with fear and trembling. Our prayer to our God gives us an added advantage and assurance that we are not alone, He is with us, and we are His.

Even though sometimes we face trials and temptations, it is in His presence we get comfort and consolation. In Psalm 23 we read like this "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I fear no evil; for thou art with me. Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me". ( v.4). We believers have this peace with him. When crisis comes, we feel dejected and depressed. In such situation praising God is a bit difficult task. But it is possible. When the Holy Spirit over rules our hearts it will be an easy task. Even in difficulties we can rejoice in the Lord and praise God. Paul and Silas are a good example to this. Prison situations, as we all know not a pleasant one. But in such situation they rejoiced in singing praises to God. ( Act.16:25) From such an unpleasant atmosphere Paul wrote some of his wonderful consoling epistles. He wrote to the Church at Ephesus. "Always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father. ( Eph.5:20). Again in another prison epistle he wrote to the church at Philippi : "Rejoice in the Lord always; and again I say rejoice." (Phil. 4:4). Only a spirit filled and spirit guided person can write such thoughts.