Throughout my time on the World Race, I’ve gotten the opportunity to be submersed in the Muslim religion. I’ve learned so much about their beliefs, traditions, and how they seek truth. I know what stories in the Bible have moved them towards Jesus and which scriptures they challenge. Above all, I’ve gotten to witness the power of the Holy Spirit with the love of Christ as some of them become friends and commit to following Jesus.
Being in Indonesia this month has been so encouraging for me. It’s the largest Muslim nation in the world, and its people are also incredibly amiable. This affords me many opportunities to make friends, share the Gospel, and talk about truth and theology. Some of them have been stuck in the car with me as we navigate through terrible Jakarta traffic, so they have no choice but to answer my questions (mwahahahaha). In all seriousness, I just love them. I want to know their hearts and why they believe what they believe and how they live it out. I want to share with them the Truth that is Christ because I love them and care about their souls.
Ironically, being saturated in this culture – bathed in Islam – during Easter has allowed me to ponder and truly feel the depth of the Father’s love for us.
As I read a story about a devout Muslim who asked a lot of questions about truth and found that it is actually Jesus, it hit me why my mercies are for those of Islamic faith: I can relate to them on a deeply emotional and relational level when it comes to family systems.
Eastern life revolves around shame/honor culture. This usually looks like adopting the Muslim faith because parents do. Prayers are prayed 5 times per day and parts of the Quran are memorized because that’s what’s asked. Stories are believed and told over time, simply because elders and ancestors have passed them down. That’s honoring to listen and take what they give without asking questions. To do so could bring shame upon the family. This is their lives. They live it, not because they necessarily have to, but this is how their societies function.
Western life revolves around guilt/innocent culture. We ask questions, we try to reason logically, and we seek to understand. If that means challenging anyone, it’s worth whatever it takes to find the truth. We can be judgmental because we desire to see justice brought forth. It’s the same with us – this is our lives. We live it, not because we necessarily have to, but this is how our society functions.
My journey through life has not been easy with my parents. I adore them. I love them with all my heart. I respect their opinions and perspectives. I love listening to their hearts. I love spending time with them. We disagree on a lot of things in life. I get stuck between honoring my parents and honoring Jesus a lot. I have to often call to question the sacrifices I choose to make.
For the eastern Muslim, it is often detrimental to their relationships to turn and follow Christ. It brings dishonor to their elders and shame to their families. It is counter – cultural to the highest degree. A lot are disowned by their family, and, if not, are thereafter seen through a different lens. This is the biggest blockade in Muslims following Christ – they are dead scared or unwilling to sacrifice their family relationships and culture for Jesus.
Reading through the gospels this weekend had me convicted in a whole new way. Jesus knew every flog that was going to come his way; every piece of flesh that was going to be torn off; how long he was going to bleed for; how far he had to carry the cross that bore sins of every person in the world but Him. His humanity agonized at the emotions and physical pain of the crucifixion. His Spirit did it anyway. His love for every single person ever in the world motivated Him through it. Love.
There is no way I couldn’t follow Jesus after the cross. There is no way the fear of what people will think of me can get in the way when Jesus’s love goes that far. There is no way my present sufferings and my emotions have victory over Jesus going to the cross and defeating death.
I am reminded that the cost of following Christ is expensive, but worth it all. The sufferings of this world are a privilege compared to Christ’s sacrifice. The many Christians I know who used to identify as Muslim will still vouch for that. I empathize with them, but I’m mostly inspired by them. They live out scripture to the fullest. Luke 9:23-24 (ESV), “And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it…”
Life is hard, flesh is weak, and Satan is real. The limitless power of God’s love will withstand any test. I will continue to share about Jesus and the Truth about love, no matter the cost. I will continue to pray for and pursue my parents when it’s hard. Christ’s love is too compelling not to.
Isaiah 53:5 (ESV), “But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.”
