Fix It and Make Do

This motorcycle was manufactured in the 1960s. It was photographed on the island of Belitung off the Southeast coast of Sumatra, Indonesia in 2011. For nearly 50 years this motorcycle has been patched together and is still in use. This is not an unusual sight. People on Sumatra find that it’s more affordable to fix something than to replace it with something new.

The idea of hanging on to the old rather than investing in the new is also seen in many people’s views about God. It’s very difficult for a Sumatran to consider something new, when their old, comfortable identity has served them good enough for generations.

While the Gospel isn’t really new, but it’s radically different than what most Sumatrans have grown up hearing. Many Christian background people on Sumatra have never really heard the Gospel more or less received it unto salvation. But many times, when they hear it they distrust the Gospel because it’s not the same as their comfortable church traditions.

While making do with an old motorcycle won’t hurt anyone, making do with a works based, comfortable religion is dangerous. No one will come unto the Father except through one channel (John 14:6). The Gospel explains the channel, and woe unto those who refuse to receive it.

Pray for Sumatrans to be open to the Gospel, even though it seems so new and foreign to them.

Pray for men and women brave enough to stand against the cultural norms to receive the gift of eternal life.

Pray for Christian background people to see the difference between cultural Christianity and saving faith.

Pray for workers on Sumatra to not grow weary in the labor of sharing the Good News to those who are closed and unresponsive.