I have ruined 30 lives this month.
For people of the muslim faith, to leave that faith or convert to another religion can be life-ruining. You can be disowned by your family. Shunned by your own people. In extreme cases you can even be physically harmed or even killed.
This month, my teammates and I are evangelising to Muslim truckers at trucking ports in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. These truckers come from countries all over North Africa to Abidjan to collect goods and take them back to their countries.
Norh Africa is predominantly Muslim. The men who we evangelize to reflect that demographic almost 100%.
It it can be hard evangelizing to people who already have a belief system in place. Muslims believe that Jesus was a prophet. So they know who Jesus is, but they do not believe that He is the Son of God.
By the grace of God we have seen over 30 Muslim men come to know and accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior this month! God has gone before us and prepared hearts and made a way for light to shine through darkness. It has been incredible to be a witness to the miraculous way He is working through this ministry!
We do follow up ministry with the men who have converted as much as possible. Each time we talk to them, they talk about how scared they are of their families. About how the fear of anyone from their past finding out that they are Christians.
That is a heavy burden to bear. A scary thing to face. An impossible thing to do.
We had just finished a team time and we were praying for the truckers who had accepted Christ this month. We prayed for courage and discernment and boldness and overwhelming love to cast out all fear in them.
Our squad leader Allison raised this question that struck me to my core:
“Is Jesus really worth ruining these guys’ lives? Because that’s what we just did.”
This was one of those “think about it” questions. Not a literal one. Jesus is very much worth our very lives.
But it really did make me think.
Do I really believe everything that I’m telling these men? Is the good news worth seemingly ruining a life on earth of a Muslim man?
These men will face persecution from their dearest family members all because of their hearts for Jesus. And I played a role in that.
After the race, I get to go home to a free country. Where I have freedom of religion. I will be free of persecution because of my beliefs. My family will not disown me. My friends will not shun me from my community. And I can openly worship Jesus.
But these guys.
These guys will face rejection and persecution and fear that I will probably never have to face.
I am on the World Race because I believe that Jesus is worth ruining a life on Earth so that someone can inherit eternal life in Heaven.
This sounds crazy. This is radical. I don’t like the way it sounds because it’s not very pretty. It doesn’t make you wanna go “hallelujah” or “preach.” It kind of makes me shiver and feel a little small.
The best part of inheriting eternal life is that you get to spend it with the greatest family. I got to say, “Welcome to the family, brothers!” to over 30 men this month. What an incredible honor.
I will get to see these brothers in Heaven one day and have long conversations about what Jesus did in their lives on Earth. They will probably tell me how hard it was, but the only thing that matters is that I’ll get to hear it because they will be in Heaven because the gospel was shared with them.
The Gospel isn’t called good news just because it makes ya feel good. It’s because it’s the BEST news anyone could ever hear.
When I’m feeling like a total life ruiner, this is where I find my peace:
“For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? For what can a man give in return for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” Mark 8:35-38
I know for a fact that these men love Jesus with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength. They have lost their life on earth, but they have gained so much more.
They have gained a family of believers who are fighting for them in prayer constantly.
They have gained a Heavenly Father who loves them unconditionally and will continue to do so for all of eternity.
They have gained the Holy Spirit who will guide them in their daily walk with the Lord.
And so much more. The list really could go on and on forever.
Please join me in prayer for these men! They are faithful servants of the King of Kings and they are ready for a life full of love and sacrifice. I’m honored to call myself a part of their family.
Here are some of my new brothers in Christ accepting Jesus into their hearts!! Hallelujah!
