Field Trip to the Museum

    Alright, so maybe I am naive, but I thought once highschool was over we were done forever with field trips (well at least until we have our own kids). Apparently, I was wrong. This semester, I am in a Bible class called The Pentateuch, and, if you couldn't guess, we are studying the Pentateuch, which is the first five books of the Bible. To complement our studies, the Bible Department set up this opportunity for the entire freshmen class of 200 students to go to the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology. I'll be honest, at first I was a little overwhelmed about the idea of trying to maneuver getting into Philly with 200 hundred students. But, looking back on the day, it definitely was as bad or stressful as I thought it would be, and I really did enjoy the museum. 
    The museum specialized in very ancient artifacts and history from the world's foundational civilizations.There were artifacts from Iraq, Upper and Lower Egypt, the Asian world powers, and even an exhibit from Canaan.I think my favorite part was seeing the remains of the mummies. I have never before been in a museum which actually owned and displayed human remains. Kind of creepy, but definitely cool!
    I will have to admit, though, that I was really moved, and, in a way, slightly disturbed. For my Pentateuch class, I had to find something, an exhibit, a person, a time period, that really interested me and then write a short paragraph about what I had learned and why I liked it. As I was going through the different rooms in the museum, I came to the section where the exhibits were specifically centered on the religious practices of the Asian cultures. For the first time in my life, and I really mean that, I came face to face with idols and shrines. You know, I grew up hearing about people groups who would worship idols and have shrines in their homes. I mean, hey, anyone who has ever watched "Mulan" knows all about idols and shrines right? I was very wrong. As I walked through three rooms filled with shrines, big shrines, small shrines, shrines to build in homes or shrines to carry in pockets, through rooms of idols, idols of Buddha, idols of dragons, idols of children or monks, my heart began to break. I had never come to face to face with pagan worship, and my eyes were suddenly and bluntly opened.
    In a way, my heart was breaking. I felt pain for all those people, past and present, who are worshiping gods who will never hear or save them. Then I felt fear, as I walked through these rooms and gazed at the images and sculptures, I saw that there was no hope in this religion. Even the faces on the idols are gruesome or have evil, dark eyes. The people who are worshiping these idols and following these religions are trapped in a very dark, very oppressive way of life, and in my heart there was as much fear as there was pain.
    So I left the museum today a changed person. After scratching just the surface of the deception, lies, and evil Satan uses to ensnare the world, I feel that I cannot just sit and do nothing. There are people out there who are whole-heartedly worshiping and following a god who cannot save them, but will ultimately land them in Hell forever. God has greatly blessed me, blessed me beyond measure, by opening my heart, regenerating me, and giving me the ability to believe in Him for salvation. With such a great blessing should come, and does come, a HUGE responsibility to then share that with those who do not know the truth. That truth was really solidified in my mind and heart this afternoon as I walked through the rooms of idols and shrines.

God is good all the time. I thank Him for opening up the opportunity for me to go to the museum and have that experience. My prayer is that I will not soon forget what I have seen.