I’ve been in Hong Kong for the past seven days and it has been a whirlwind of exploration, relaxation, and of course, caffeination with a childhood best friend. It has been a beautiful time so far and I’m attempting to savor the last few days here before flying back home.
On the first full day I was here, we decided to go up to a mountain village called Ngong Ping. From a strictly touristy mindset it was beautiful and bright, and yet spiritually there was a heaviness and darkness present. Monasteries, monks, a temple, and a giant Buddha all made for a cultural and spiritual experience. I was struck by the significance of the sight in the photos below. There was an area where tourists could offer up their incense or pay their respects in the center of a circular platform that faced the statue. The images are engrained in my mind today as I sit and contemplate the overwhelming emotions I felt while I was there.
Then on Sunday, we went to church and one of the songs we sang had the bridge that says “day and night, night and day, let incense arise.” I felt like God was reminding me of His greatness over all other things.
“For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; He also is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the people are idols, but the Lord made the heavens.” – 1 Chr. 16:25-26
Nothing, no one, ever has been or will be greater than the one true God.
“Behold, heaven and the heights heaven cannot contain you!” – 2 Chr. 6:18
The brokenness in our world weighs heavily on my heart with the burden to see a world that knows Christ. Today I am praying for a world that will never know peace until it knows Jesus.
“Let my prayers be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.” – Ps. 141:2
Caffeinated Theologian 
Looks beautiful
This is very encouraging. At first I thought you were yet another Western dabbler in Buddhist chic. Then I got the Psalms ! The gods of the heathen are idols. Right ON.