Just A Thought

 I recently had the opportunity to stand before Egypt's Great Pyramid of Giza, which stands 481 feet high, is the world's tallest pyramid. But the world's largest, but less famous, pyramid lies half a world away in Cholula (chow·loo·Luh), Mexico. The Great Pyramid of Cholula was built by The Toltecs. This was a mighty civilization that many have never heard of. This pyramid is about 217 feet tall with a base of 1,476 by 1,476 feet. It boasts a total volume of 157 million cubic feet; that is almost twice that of the Great Pyramid of Giza!

Many of the pyramid's stairways, platforms, and altars have been unearthed. Historians believe the massive monument was built in several stages from 300 BC to 700 AD. The temple built above the pyramid served as a center of worship for Quetzalcoatl. He was the Aztec god of learning and books. But the temple was abandoned around the 8th or 9th century AD. As years passed, the pyramid was covered by heavy vegetation.

The structure blended in so well with the nearby hills and mountains that the Spaniards, who conquered Mexico in 1521, mistook it for a natural hill. They destroyed the temple on its summit and replaced it with a colonial church. The pyramid only came to light in the 1930s when the dirt started to fall away. Since then, archeologists have excavated many of the pyramid's stairways, platforms, and altars. They have also dug over five miles of tunnels in and around the pyramid.

The reader may be aware that Egyptians, the Olmecs, the Mayans, the Incas, and the Aztecs all built pyramids.  Almost all societies have built tall structures. Many times people are attempting to do what those who built the tower of Babel were trying to do. Those at Babel thought they could build high enough to avoid the judgement of God. The societies who buried their kings in pyramids also buried the rulers’ servants and wealth, in an effort to equip the king for the afterlife. Their efforts only provided loot for thieves.

Looking back at many societies we can see that they all had ideas about life and the afterlife, but they were not God ideas. God wants the truth to make us free.  That is why the Bible is such a powerful force in the believer’s life. His word can correct bad mindsets. He can heal our thinking. This is true of people with well minds that are misinformed. It is also true for people whose minds have become confused or deceived.

Here are a few scriptures that give us hope that God can help us think right.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil. Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones. – Proverbs 3:5-8

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. - Romans 12:2

God went to so much trouble to write a manual for life. It is well worth reading and heeding.

# posted by John W. Hanson @ Friday, September 19, 2025