Higher Ground

When I was a child I grew up in a semi-Buddhist home. Regularly, my family members would present offerings to our deceased ancestors who were now, supposedly, living in the spirit realm. I can remember bowing down before a large picture of some of those ancestors, praying they would send me good luck. I also presented offerings to them to show them honor and to show that they had not been forgotten.

But I also gave out of fear, for the ancestral spirits can be fickle. One day they can be in a good mood. The next they can be in a bad mood. One day they may like what is offered to them, but then the next day be upset about the same kind of offering that had been offered the day before. I lived in a state of insecurity that if what I offered was not “acceptable,” my ancestors would wreak havoc in my life.

One big reason I was willing to listen to my friend, Andy, share with me about Jesus Christ was because I was told that I could have confidence that He loves me and desires the best for me.