Loi Krathong | "Festival of Lights"

It's amazing how beautiful the darkness can appear when light is added.  The moon illuminates the night sky with it's pale reflections of the sun's light.  Manmade fireworks are a brilliant display of colorful brightness.

Tonight we attended a Thai festival called Loi Krathong, which translates to "Festival of Lights".  Always celebrated on a full moon, this is a time for people to make offerings to the spirit of the river, asking forgiveness for polluting it's waters.  Small boats are made out of banana wood or bread and elaborately decorated with live flowers.  A candle and incense are lit on each one and they are sent, floating down the river, as a sacrifice.

Reflections of Light
How amazing that even amid the blackest darkness there can be a ray of light!  Pale reflections of the Truth finding their way in among the lies of this world.  The Thai people who participated in the festival tonight recognized a need for forgiveness in their lives.

God is gracious to love each of us while we are yet sinners (Romans 5:8).  Although we are thankful that the people tonight know that they have sinned, we are also sad that they seek forgiveness from one without power to forgive.  Christ alone has that power (Mark 2:6-12).

Perhaps this is a good starting point for ministry - finding some truths within their culture and introducing Christ from there.  Beginning with the light that is reflected into their lives and showing them the source of that light...  Jesus, the Light of the world (John 8:12).

Please Pray

• That the Lord would bless us with relationships in which we can be salt and light;
• For Thai Buddhists to come to recognize Jesus as the true Light of the world... 
• ... that they would find true forgiveness in Him!