Reflectors

"And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with every-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." 2 Corinthians 3:18.

In the preceding verses we see Moses' face shining with God's goodness and character after his encounter on Mount Sinai. It was so intense the people couldn't take it. This leads to this amazing verse and the following chapter where we read about being jars of clay where God's glory shines through.

So this is our job description...potentially all Christians' ministry--to reflect the Lord's glory. Some of our brothers and sisters are equipped and led to an intense polemic or apologetic ministry. Most others thrive in a more irenic approach. Which is better? The Apostle Paul has both. He defends the faith so effectively that he is beaten up, imprisoned, stoned and shut up. He was often like the prophet Jeremiah who delivered God's messages verbatim and people couldn't stand it. And yet Paul too had limitations and weaknesses. Paul recognizes that he is that clay pot he describes where the light of Jesus shines through his own humanness--like cracks in the pot. 

For the most part we are one or the other. We are social creatures and thus we strive to be at peace with people. We are comfortable with representing our Lord quietly yet intentionally. Some are more blunt in their communication than others and they pay for it. For starters, we're certainly not out to win a popularity contest by representing the Good News.

So, we are pretty much in the middle of a pandemic with effective vaccines on the horizon. But for now most of the time the wise thing to do is to follow health officials directives. Meaning we spend more time ministering virtually than face to face. When it's about relationships, that isn't so hard to do. But for Christians used to the polemical approach, this probably won't work so well. For the most part Muslims like to know that we care for them...for their physical and mental well being. So, it still gives me many opportunities to hear out the concerns of my Muslim and believer friends and either pray with them virtually or assure them of my prayer.

I've put some of the neatly crafted outreach tools on the back burner as I find myself strengthening my relationships with individual Muslims. This is not so bad because they still get a reading of me--a Jesus follower. For example, before the pandemic turned more severe I met face to face with a few Arab friends who are asylum seekers. They had been burnt with religion and when asked whether they are Muslims they replied--"our parents said we were". So that gave me insight into my approach to them. Now I seek to reflect God's glory to them.

At any rate, the most effective witness(or reflection) is when our faith is fleshed out in life's experiences. These reflect God's glory when we speak of the time we were in need, prayed and received an answer to prayer. Or just simply speaking of experiencing the Holy Spirit's presence. These are irrefutable proofs that following Jesus is very fulfilling. 

Dear God. I want to be a good reflector of you. Transform me to more like you as I meet with you through your word, worship and prayer. Amen.   

Let's Go

"Let's go at once to take the land...We can certainly conquer it!" Joshua in Numbers 13:30

The Jews had finally come to the end of their wilderness wanderings. The original adults had all passed away and now a young crowd was waiting for instructions from their new leader Joshua. When Moses was still alive, he and Joshua sent a group of 12 scouts to explore Canaan to assess what kind of land and people they were going to. Only 2 of the twelve were optimistic and encouraged moving forward to enter the land God had directed them to. Those who were scared spitless rebelled and said we don't want to expose our children to the hostile environment. The Lord's blessing was on the remaining people who crossed over the Jordan behind the Ark of the Covenant and Joshua, their fearless leader.

So, we've been isolating from people for 7 months now. We are no longer in lock-down but rather under 'orange alert'--meaning we are required to wear masks for inside public spaces except when eating and drinking and are encouraged to continue social distancing. Churches have been forced to follow the government's strict guidelines for assembling. No more walk-ins for those who are seeking. The pandemic's effect rages on--hitting the most vulnerable but also sidelining those infected. Many people including Muslims are scared of contracting covid. Others don't really care and go about life as before. So what to do? God has called us to minister to a least reached people group in the West--the Muslims.

So the lesson for us is not to stay in the parking lot but to follow Joshua's instructions "Let's go..."The first thing we have to do is be creative. Pray for open doors in whatever form they come--virtual or in person. Back in April we started to connect with many of our past Muslim contacts via Zoom or WhatApp. A friend from Egypt down in Southern USA was awed that he had been thinking of me the day before I emailed. Even though they are a conservative Muslim family--the response has been very welcoming and even prayer in Jesus name has been appreciated. Likewise many of our contacts elsewhere have been warm and touched. What can they turn to?

Believers feel isolated. Some are weary of the church or fellowship groups going virtual. They need face to face fellowship. So, we have increased visits in our home as the weather closes in on us. Before we'd meet in the driveway or yard. For some, it has worked fairly well to meet in a quiet corner of a food court. Most of what we do is connected to relationships we've cultivated over the years but there are also new contacts--divine appointments. I'm still following up the contacts made more than a month ago during Eid day when a group of Sudanese Muslims were strolling in the English Gardens. I greeted them from a safe distance and sensed the 'felt needs' they had regarding English. 

One of the divine appointments happened in a popular place to hang out in our city. A very prominent man who explored the roots of his sect of Islam indicated he was on a new trajectory. He saw there were huge problems with how the sect started. Now he claims allegiance to Christianity. I'm waiting for an opportunity to meet with him to explore where he is at on his journey and perhaps offer 'I Dared to Call Him Father' by Bilquis Sheikh.

Lord, I want to move forward like Joshua to contact the 'parish' of Muslim friends and believers you have called me to. I know you are able and can do more than I could ever imagine as demonstrated by our Muslim seeker friend who left his sect of Islam. Praise your name!

  

Mistaken for Jesus!

"We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves." 2 Corinthians 4:7

The following story is from 'More to be Desired Than Gold' by the late Christy Wilson.

"Peter Zwemer, Samuel's brother and a wonderful man of God, came to Muscat, Oman as a missionary and established an orphanage for African boys. While Peter was in Muscat, the British Navy captured a slave ship in that port, since the British outlawed slavery. The ship had left Africa and was on its way to Saudi Arabia to sell the slaves, thirty-five little black boys who had already been branded. After capturing the ship, the British didn't know what to do with these thirty-five boys.

So Peter Zwemer made the British an offer. "I'll take care of them," he said. He took the thirty-five little black boys, housed them, provided them with beds, food, and clothing. He even started a school for them. He taught them the Bible in addition to English and other subjects.

While still a young man, Peter Zwemer took sick and died and was buried in Muscat. Years later Samuel Zwemer returned to Muscat. Preaching in Arabic, he told the people about Jesus Christ. “Oh, but we know him,” someone interrupted.

“Oh no, you've got me wrong,” Dr. Zwemer said. “This is someone who lived many, many years ago.” He went on to tell them how Jesus Christ loved little children, how he had done many good things for people and had even given His life for them.

“We know him!” another shouted.

“No, you don’t,” Dr. Zwemer insisted. “He lived a long time ago, before you were born.” And he continued talking about Jesus.

The people raised their hands once again. “But we do know him!” And they proceeded to describe Peter Zwemer! Like Jesus, Peter had loved children. Like Jesus, he had had compassion for people and had done so many good things for them. And like Jesus, he had given his life for them.

What a wonderful thing. To be mistaken for Jesus!"

Like Peter Zemer's, our lives are always on display and Muslims take notice of our love for God and for them.

Very early on in ministry, I was given the advice never to get angry when dealing with Muslims. If I did get angry, my ministry could be over. Very wise advise. I've made mistakes and know from experience its hard to backtrack, get a hearing, and communicate with grace.

  

"...I realized that nonbelievers weren't attracted to evangelists, they were attracted to God. People who are true seekers are seeking for God. They may not know it, and might not express it in those words, but when they see God in His beauty being lived out in the lives of His people, they are attracted to Him. In order for Jesus to truly shine through a life, the hard exterior has to be broken and removed." from 'The Messenger, The Message, The Community' by Roland Mueller.

Dear Heavenly Father, help me to walk wisely so that your light in my heart may get through to people who need you. May they see more of Jesus in me. Amen.