Muhammad sat with us all day in Wesaam’s tent, translating for us. He’s 23, he was in his third year of studying computer engineering when He fled from Syria. He came ahead of his family but they’re all stuck in Syria now. He told us how He would rather go back home, back into the war and danger, than to stay in this refugee camp. He said he left, along with the 15,000 other refugees, because they wanted a better life, but this is not better.
Then as if, at this realization I wasn’t already heartbroken, he handed Kayla a flyer and said “there are people here trying to change our religion”.
I was wrecked.
I don’t know who gave him that flyer advertising Jesus. And I don’t want to judge, because I’m sure their heart was simply to share the hope God offers us all. But I was upset.
How was handing people flyers going to make them desire a relationship with Jesus? Muslims are a devout people. They are faithful to their religion; self controlled and incredibly disciplined. It’s hard for me to believe a people group so devoted would forsake their religion for a relationship they don’t know even exist because a stranger hands them a flyer.
I was hurt then because I didn’t want to be a walking//talking flyer for Jesus. I didn’t want to come and go like a paper bag in the wind, and offer these people eternal hope like it was an invitation to a birthday party. I didn’t want Muhammad to think or see me that way either. Like I was there just to change him to be like me, a Christian.
I know I am here as a missionary. A person who shares the good news of the gospel with people. But that doesn’t mean that my job is to convert people. No that’s the Holy Spirit who convicts and converts. Only God can move in a persons heart, that they should give their life to Him. So what is my job? My call?
I believe as followers of Christ our job is to live a life of invitation, to have the heart posture of hospitality; operating in love and grace and mercy. To live in such a way that we demonstrate the gospel. We can be walking testaments of the power of God; how He brings healing, hope, and redemption to those who seek Him. In love we can show people their deep need for a savior.
The kingdom is for everyone, everyone who wants to receive the free gift God gave us though Jesus. God the Father wants ever lost soul to find its way home.
He wants every man from ever nation to become his sons and daughters.
He tells us in His word that there will be a day when every tongue confesses his name.
But our God doesn’t force people to choose Him. He doesn’t pressure, push or shove.
No He loves. He pursues. He is patient and gentle. Kind and compassionate.
Our hearts should be in beat with His to see people saved. Our lives then, should invite people into the depths of His mercy. Into the adventure of being the child of the creator. Our lives should be lives that make people feel welcomed to be known. It’s these things that draw people into the arms of the Heavenly Father. Relationship.
Not a flyer. Not a conversion we can manufacture.
My prayer today is that God would use the time I’ve spent here with B squad, the conversations we’ve had, the hugs we’ve exchanged, the tea we’ve shared to plant seeds.
We don’t always play the part in people’s stories of seeing them give their lives to Jesus. It’s usually a process. Sometimes were the first to ever tell a person the name of Jesus. Sometimes were the people who tell them for the 100th time that God loves them and then finally make the connection and believe it in their heart. A lot of the time we’re somewhere in the vast middle of a persons’ journey. This month though- I’m clearly a very tiny seed. But you know what I am glad to be a very tiny seed. I pray that God’s Holy Spirit would stir in each of their hearts and minds. That the things we said and the way we cared they don’t soon forget. And I pray that God would send more faithful servants to water the seeds that were planted this month.
