“While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols.” Acts 17:1
Somewhat saddened as I wait to disembark in Athens, knowing the unrest — anti-shalom of the current environment, riots, strikes, economic failure, and general chaos of recent days.
The idols are surely smashed and desecrated, the greatest ancient ruin, the Parthenon, frailly stands, supported by foundations made by human hands that can no longer sustain the restorative efforts because money to pay laborers has dried up.
Longing to see the Areopagus, the rock named after the god of war, “Ares,” which is not even marked on maps here. At this Mars Hill, among the intellectual elite of this also-named council, the apostle Paul, was accused of being a plagiarist and a babbler. Even if I make it there, I have heard the graffiti-smears darken the stone and defaces the site.
And yet no darkness, even the shadowy Internet Cafe where I type, no disfigurement, no defilement of shalom, can block out God’s glorious light. His glory shines even brighter in the dim ruins of ancient litlle-g glory. What is ugly now foresees the ultimate restoration and renewal of this place when every city will bow before the one true and very known God who loves His cosmos and daily redeems it and us. Time runs out — imagine yourself in the place and read the real story in Acts 17. Pictures to come:) Piraeus, Greece
