The “J” word
The Christian faith and Muslim faith are similar in many ways. A discussion on that would be an entirely different blog…but one of the largest differences lies in what is believed about Jesus. As I’ve been navigating talking with our Muslim friends about faith I quickly realized that once it was stated that I believe Jesus has power and/or is the Son of God there was a rapid turn in the conversation. It was like a defense wall was put up between me and the person. Even the body language changed, it was like trust had been broken and the words I spoke thereafter had no meaning. This quickly pushed me away from wanting to bring Jesus up in conversation. I thought, well if Jesus makes people want to argue and disagree then maybe I should try avoiding saying His name and instead talk about everything else first and then at the end sneak His name in. It sounds crazy to write it out and confess that this was the desire I was having. It seems that I was starting down a very twisted path of deceiving people into believing in Jesus.
Praise God for opening me eyes to what was really happening in my heart. I WAS trying to deceive people. But on top of that, I was trying to preserve my own image and be accepted rather than state the truth and let Jesus do the rest. A blatant pride issue. I was more concerned with my own image in the eyes of these women than truthfully portraying the image of our Savior.
In addition to the revelation God has been showing me in my heart, He has also been showing me just how integral Jesus’ is. Even if saying Jesus’ name means losing acceptance by these women, it is worth saying! This is because if someone is experiencing something from Jesus, whether it be the love we give to these women, or some stirring in their heart, or a healing, or a weird warm feeling whenever myself and my teammates are around they have to know what it is, it’s not me, it’s Jesus! If I never said the truth that it’s because of the impact Jesus is having on our hearts then they would never know what to attribute that to.
One thing I want, is for every time I say the name Jesus to carry a weight in my own heart that depicts the pure love and overflow that He abundantly gives. He came to this sin-filled world to die a painful death for every person who enters it. That does not exclude a single person. Yes that includes you, the reader, He came for you because you are worth it. No matter the impact or lack thereof, that His name has on your heart, I pray that He begins tilling up the soil and stirring something more. Let me just connect the dots for you right now, “Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.” (James 1:16-18 ESV) EVERY good gift and EVERY perfect gift is from Him. Remember the last good thing that happened to you, the gift of even waking up to a new day of life this morning, this is from Him. Attribute all these things to Him and allow the soil of your heart be tilled up by the truth that Jesus has authority and power in this world and in your life and He is worth attributing that to.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dOExT9JqB7s
