*Identity Crises*

"Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls." Matthew 11:29

"I'd like to get baptized" said Munzir before he knew what the Christian faith was all about. We studied scripture together and went over all the pertinent verses dealing with salvation. He said he really wanted to follow Christ and prayed in his own language. We took him to our pastor. After hearing Munzir's testimony, our pastor suggested he sit among us for a while. It didn't feel right for us and the pastor. For some reason Munzir wanted a new identity and real fast.

Options were running out for Asif about to be deported from a western country. He had come from North Africa where he saw no future for himself. A lawyer suggested that his children get baptized in a church and claim they couldn't return to the homeland--to become asylum seekers. Asif studied hard and did a lot of research in preparation for their immigration hearing. The plan was for them to present themselves as Christians--pretending. As he was preparing he realized the truth is in Jesus. His wife wasn't convinced and even threatened to leave him. But as he showed her what he discovered, she too came to Jesus.

It's common for those who are burnt with religion to give up and be nothing. Muslims for example get angry when they discover the sources of Islam aren't what they were told. At first they ignore it and some even become more religious. Perhaps if I try harder my soul will be stilled. But they tire of that. Then many dabble in different religions. Once that's done they become agnostics. They give up on religions. Can you imagine the struggle and mental anguish that a Muslim goes through when he tries to disengage from Islam? It's a recipe for psychological disaster.

During the 'Arab Spring' many Muslims began to realize what Islam has done to their country and turned to atheism. But they know that doesn't work. One atheist described that the hardest thing for him is that he doesn't have an identity. It becomes clear that ex-Muslims need a sense of belonging, a purpose in life, and a new identity.

"You will find rest for your souls"...isn't this an awesome verse? Talk about a delightful invitation. Following Christ isn't about religion. It is about a new identity in Jesus and learning from him. It will take a lifetime to unpack the richness of Christ's claims: I am the door, ...bread of life, ...resurrection, Messiah, ...I AM, ...light of the world, etc. In Islam a person learns to follow rules about everything. This puts structure, discipline and order in one's life but that can soon become burdensome. It's only a bandaide. Why do Muslims settle for this? FEAR. Fear about being isolated from former friends and family or even threatened physically. The fear of the unknown--who am I without the title 'Muslim'? They don't know the options. That's our job--to assure Muslims of God's love for them and Jesus invitation to come to him.

Lord God, rescue Muslim men who are desperate for a new identity. Lead me to the ones who have lost their way. Amen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsDQEb-qlyM (click)

Damascus or Emmaus Road?

"...their eyes were opened, and they recognized him..."Didn't our hearts feel strangely warm as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?" Luke 24:31 & 32.

Two followers of Jesus walking towards Emmaus were in deep discussion about the events of the past 3 days when Jesus joined them--a stranger at that point. He reminded them that all that had happened was the fulfillment of scripture. Only when he broke the bread when they stopped for the evening meal did they recognize Jesus. Then he disappeared.

In the 40 days following Jesus' death prior to his ascension, Jesus was actively revealing his identity to believers. Jewish historian Josephus and later Eusebius fill in some of the details.

Paul's experience of meeting Jesus was significantly different. He was on his way to Damascus to persecute believers. God had special plans for Paul(then Saul). He stopped him in his tracks, blinded him and spoke to him. God dramatically opened not only his physical eyes but his spiritual eyes.

In Pakistan we had the privilege of fellowshipping with Qureshi. See "The Peanut Butter Man". He opened up his own mosque and led prayers for the faithful. God placed a hunger in his heart to read the Injil(NT). He went to visit a missionary whom he had heard about. The short of it was, he met Jesus. He was like the Apostle Paul...fearless and intense. For him it was an Emmaus Road experience--a journey and not an instant conversion. And this is the story of all the believers I know. God got their attention and they never let go. Some even became mentally ill over the dilemma of being so intensely drawn to Christ but knowing the cost of following Jesus. Worldwide believers are persecuted and intensely bullied.

Lately several experiences have encouraged me that God is still at work in specific Muslims from a broad spectrum of people. God somehow hand-picked individuals to proclaim the Good News to their people. Qureshi boldly proclaimed Jesus to Muslim leaders--the Pharisees of his day. Afghan martyr Zia also boldly proclaimed Jesus, penned many of the first Dari hymns and helped translate scriptures. His witness was powerful.

No amount of jamming the satellite transmissions or shutting down website access can deter the work of God's spirit. This past year showed me 2 or 3 individuals in whose heart God has been at work. They tell of an unquenchable search for truth. One of my friends in his homeland where Muslims are banned from having a Bible and from entering a church checked out the Bible in the library. He was completely disillusioned with Islam and was moving towards becoming an atheist. God had mercy on him and brought him to a place where he could freely explore the Christian faith.

You and I may well have a part in the 'Emmaus journey' that some Muslim friends are on...or even a dramatic Damascus Road encounter! When we are open about our faith with Muslims it soon becomes evident whether they are ready to hear more. Isn't it exciting to be part of a Muslim's faith journey?

Dear Jesus, show me how to encourage Muslims in search of you. Amen.

“Thou hast made us for thyself, and our heart is restless until it finds its rest in thee.” -Augustine

Ramadan Discussions

See Praying for the Muslim world (click) for a daily prayer guide.

"...this is what he(God) requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8

Where we live Muslims who fast and have a day job endure over 17 hours without food or drink. Muslims need to ask "Does God really require people to suffer like this?"

Some of my Muslim acquaintances bravely start off fasting for the first couple of days. Others compensate by taking holidays or return to their homeland during this month. Others fast the last 10 days of Ramadan--the most important time. Any religious act like saying extra prayer or reading the Qur'an on the 'Night of Power'(Laytatul) according to the Qur'an receives 1000 fold merit(Qur'an 97:3). During this night Muslims celebrate the 'revelation' of the Qur'an. Muslim scholars believe it took place sometime in the last 10 days of Ramadan. This year June 1st is designated as the 'Night of Power'. Muslims consider this the best time of the entire year to pray for salvation and blessings. Many believe it's their night of destiny. Ramadan has been called 'month of God'--month to repent, month to forgive, a month of reward.

Is it wise to visit a mosque during Ramadan? I visited the mosque several times for 'Iftar'. Since I hadn't fasted, it felt awkward. We all sat around until it was time to 'break the fast'. We give a mixed message when we enter into their rituals without having a voice. Ramadan is considered by Muslims to be a deeply spiritual month. Many spend extra time in the mosque. It's all about the Scales(Mezan) where they believe on Judgement Day their 'good deeds' and 'bad deeds' are weighed. They believe that lax Muslims will spend some time in hell before being allowed to enter paradise.

Overall Ramadan is a celebratory month when women make special dishes to be enjoyed into the wee hours of the night. Many say "We love Ramadan."  A Muslim woman on a TV show said, "Its easy to forget the real reason why we are doing this." It becomes a cultural event. Many nominal Muslims will go along with the 'Iftar' celebrations or 'Eid al Fitr' like nominal Christians do at Christmas and Easter. When asked "Why do you fast?" Muslims often say that they can empathize with the poor. Yet, why are the poor expected to fast as well?

Matthew 6:18 declares "But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting...your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."

According to the Injil(NT), it is not about merit with God. It helps to take our eyes off the things of this world and focus on God. Fasting helps us gain a new perspective and a renewed reliance upon God, a spiritual discipline often neglected. One thing we could consider doing is missing a meal and praying for the Muslim world during the month of Ramadan. There probably has never been a more desperate time in the Muslim world.

Dear Heavenly Father, have mercy on Muslims who long for peace in their part of the world and in their souls. Amen.