Compassion versus Proclamation?

"For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes..." Romans 1:16

When I first met Hanaa(Ethiopia) in her ESL school, she was wearing a bold 'Jesus' t-shirt. Hanaa relates well to Muslims around her. She isn't aware of what's 'politically correct'. She wants everyone to know that she loves Jesus! It's a delight to have new immigrant believers like Hanaa in my conversation groups. In Hanaa's cultural background, 'God' is on people's lips all the time.

On the other hand, we are a private culture. Western Christians often keep faith to themselves. Very few model including 'Jesus' in conversations even with Christians. And praying is done behind closed doors--seldom part of a 'Christian social gathering'.

Recent participants in an adult Sunday School class were fully engaged as Joy walked them through her fabulous Our Journey (click) presentation. She talked about how Christians hear(ears) news about Muslims and then see(eyes) them in the grocery store...etc. but ended with doing(hands) something for a Muslim friend. Joy asked, "What's missing?" The audience was stumped. They came for cultural tips to prepare for the imminent arrival of the Syrian refugee family they sponsored. It didn't dawn on them there was an unused body part that God wanted to use--'the Mouth'.

Should Christians share Jesus with Muslims?? What about the alleged quote from Francis of Assisi "Preach the gospel at all times; when necessary, use words”? Some would say, "Isn't this a wise approach? After all, we don't want to offend Muslims..."

"How many times have we heard that message? That we share the Gospel by the way we live and only tell people the Gospel "when it's necessary?" Ray Comfort said "this statement is comparable to saying "feed the hungry--if necessary, use food." (Worldview Times)

How did we get here? Churches provide fewer public opportunities of sharing lessons God has taught us...answers to prayer or of opportunities showing/sharing God's love. We don't practice talking about 'Jesus' even in church. Judging from responses we get from our bi-weekly prayer updates, Christian brothers and sisters long for more 'God talk'. They are ready for more passion.

A Christian myth developed that 'being a witness' means sharing the whole '9 yards' like the '4 Spiritual Laws' every time. Many believers say, "I can't do that!" Unbelievers distance themselves. I grew up on the farm. There is a lot more to getting a crop into the bin than harvesting. Likewise with effective witness. Usually this involves befriending someone, praying for them, nurturing common interests, and just being transparent about who we are. Let's create some 'intrigue' in our witnessing by using stories so the listener wants to hear more...on our next visit. Jesus did that.

Large churches put on evangelistic events like showing a Christian movie. Parishioners are encouraged to bring their non-Christian friends. Unless there is teaching otherwise, these can dis-empower Christians with the thought of "leave it to the professionals".

I love signs of spring...the first robin, the first flower, or pussy willows. I also love seeing signs of spiritual interest in my Muslim friend. Isn't it exciting to partner with God in showing kindness and in proclamation?

Lord Jesus, give me the conviction, desire, courage, and opportunity to creatively share you with Muslims I meet. Amen.

Lost

Breathe

Michael W Smith

This is the air I breathe...

Your holy presence living in me

This is my daily bread...

Your very word spoken to me.

And I I'm desperate for you

And I I'm lost without you

It was a muggy summer evening. We were driving through an isolated stretch in the middle of Saskatchewan when we heard a community announcement on the radio about a lost puppy. The owner was desperate. And recently I spotted this sign at several major intersections about a lost dog. Well, I do hope they found their pets. People get very attached to their dogs. People also lose their way...they haven't found the loving Heavenly Father who is waiting for them. We all have a need to belong.

Many Muslims emigrate to the West to get away from repressive or corrupt governments. Such was the case with Asif. Although he had a good position in a company, he was being harassed by authorities for his lifestyle. Asif was severely punished for the alcohol that was found in his home. After he lost hope that anything would improve, he took his family and escaped across the desert to a neighboring country. It was there that he tasted greater freedom to ask questions about God. People like these aren't interested in challenging Christianity. They're simply done with religion and wander around looking for truth. After arriving in Canada, Asif tried fitting into a church but that didn't work out. His search for God seemed to wither and die. He is now left empty.

Farzana is formulating her own religion. She says, "I'm a no-name brand' when it comes to religion. She was tired of religious leaders telling her what she was not allowed to do. She'd be in trouble back home with her views. There are many just like her in the West who don't want conservative Islamic practices imposed on them. We've seen a growing number of atheists as a result of atrocities in the Muslim world or because of unfulfilled dreams during Arab Spring. The Iranian Revolution triggered an increased focus on conservative Islam but also a growing disillusionment. On the surface it looks like all is going well for Farzana. She seems like a stellar person. Recently we had an opportunity to give her an overview of God's message to the world...to her. She needs Jesus to find a true spiritual home.

Ayaan, a Somali writer, views herself a transformer of Islam. She sets 5 impossible conditions for reform in Islam in her latest book Heretic. Disillusioned activists and reformers like her may have political answers but nothing for the needs of the soul.

Jesus didn't dwell on the social ills of his day as much as on the underlying spiritual needs of people. "He came to find the lost people and save them."(Luke 19:10) and "...to give them a rich and satisfying life." If we get bogged down with discussing peripheral issues, we will probably miss an opportunity to share like Jesus did. So let's keep on loving Muslims and sharing Jesus. These friends are not lost to God. Praise God, there has been a rapid increase of Muslim background believers in churches.

Dear Jesus, thank you for  bringing hope and meaning to the world. I long to share this with the 'lost' people in my world. Amen

Got Compassion?

"But God said to Jonah, “You have been concerned about this vine...But Nineveh has more than one hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left... Should I not be concerned about that great city?” Jonah 4:10&11.

Jonah received the message from God to warn Nineveh (across from modern day Mosul, Iraq) of impending judgement. They were Israel’s worst enemies and terrorists of the day. Jonah ran away and set sail in the opposite direction.  In the midst of  a vicious storm each sailor desperately started calling on his own god. Jonah said, “It’s my fault, throw me overboard.” Mercifully God sent a whale to swallow Jonah whole! Inside the belly, he made things right with God. After 3 days and 3 nights the whale puked him back on shore. Now Jonah was ready to deliver the message--“In forty days Nineveh will be destroyed.” But the king did a 180, Nineveh repented and turned from their wicked ways. God had compassion on them and gave them a 2^nd chance. Jonah was furious at God. “I knew it. You would relent and not destroy them.” Zero compassion. He sulked. God lectured him “You are concerned about the vine…but not about these people?”

I often receive emails listing evil things Muslims have done. The ones that go around the world and are accepted as gospel truth. Its like, “Ed, don’t you get it?” Unfortunately they create fear and dislike of Muslims and result in reluctance to befriend them. These messages do nothing to encourage compassion and love.

Nasser and his mother and siblings had to flee to a nearby country where corruption was common. Eventually they landed in Canada when he was a teenager. He had no male role model showing him what was right or wrong. After high school, he got his learner’s license but failed the road test several times. In frigid winter weather his family depended on him to take them shopping and to appointments. I recently reconnected with Nasser. He nervously begged me to accompany him to court because he got caught for driving with only a learner's license and for speeding. He knew he was in deeeeep trouble. I picked him up and waited for his turn. The magistrate peered at him and explained these were very serious offences.  Nasser lamely explained that he hadn't gotten around to retaking the test but planned to do so asap. The magistrate was quiet for a moment and then graciously reduced his substantial fines to half and offered him to pay in monthly payments. Nasser was so relieved. The magistrate showed him mercy that he didn't deserve. I was able to come alongside this young man and help in a small way. Doesn't your heart go out to him? 

Many refugees who come here have been in survival mode for a long time. Many fled war or corrupt regimes and injustices of every kind. They come not used to rules. Some, like Nasser, need gentle reminders of what is right and wrong. I'm not a policeman or an investigator but a representative of Jesus. I want Nasser to know Jesus and experience his compassion.

Melt my heart, O God

Make it ever true

Melt my heart, O God

May I be like you.

Amen.