A missionary in India tells of seeing a strange sight one day. A native woman was rolling along the road. She was not doing it for money, but through it she hoped to have her sins forgiven.
They had gone to visit one of the villages when they saw four wen with bundles on their heads and one carrying a brown flag. This flag was the sign that they were on a pilgrimage. The missionaries thought one of the bundles was lying on the ground, but when “the bundle” started rolling along, they saw it was a thickly padded little woman doing her penance on the highway. A red flag was tied to her feet to warn the oncoming traffic.
She had already traveled many miles but still had many more to go. She was a follower of the goddess Yellama whose temple was at Pandrapier, and this was where they were going to worship. They did about three miles a day.
They had no desire to listen to the Gospel story. They would not believe when they were told that they did not need to go rolling along the road to obtain the forgiveness of their sins. Salvation was a gift from God, God who so loved them that He sent His Son to die for them. He rose again from the dead and was alive in heaven, ready to save them and forgive all their sins if they would only believe on Him. The four women began clapping their hands and singing their songs of love to their goddess while their friend rolled along quite happily.
The missionaries turned away feeling so sad that these poor souls would not listen to the message that would have brought them life, peace and true happiness.
Are you “rolling along” through life not listening to the sweet gospel message? We are not saved by our own doings, but according to God’s mercy. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8,98For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8‑9). On the cross the Lord Jesus did all the work for our salvation; we have no strength to do anything. He did it all on Calvary, and now there is nothing left to do but believe.
ML-09/09/1979