Last night as Lindsay, Daniel, and I walked home from Tipi Cafe where we teach English, it hit me…
WE ARE LAWBREAKERS.
Every single day we go to that coffee shop and break the law; and last night we broke the law for three solid hours.
In Vietnam it is illegal to evangelize. Evangelism is defined as the spreading of Christian Gospel by public preaching or personal witness.
No, we don’t stand on the street corners and yell at people to love and accept Jesus. But we do answer questions when our students ask us why we travel the world or why we celebrate Christmas.
Last night, in particular, was a night in which all three of us had the opportunity to talk about Jesus and the Gospel with nine different people for three hours. We answered questions about the difference between Catholicism and Protestantism, the difference between the Old Testament and the New Testament, why racism is ignored by Christains, homosexuality, and even our own stories. We discussed the differences between Christianity and Buddhism and how Christianity is the only religion that is not based on our ability to achieve anything. By the end of the night, despite a long day, we were pumped; we were literally doing high kicks in the middle of the streets. This excitement, this pure authentic joy, is only from God. So, yes, I can say that it was a blast to break the law.
You see, this joy is what we all crave. This joy is that pure satisfaction after a hard day’s work or a big goal achieved. This joy is being in the will of God the Father. This joy is Jesus.
Last night I talked with a man, Steve. As he told me that he believed that our purpose on this earth was to be born, do good, and then die, my heart sank. I realized that Steve has never experienced this joy. Steve has never had his heart beam with satisfaction and fulfillment. Steve has never experienced or encountered the love of Jesus. Steve has experienced the inner battle between his own ability to achieve perfection and the failure of his flesh in not being able to.
I remember when I began researching The World Race, I watched this video called “More than a Mission Trip.” In the video the opening quote says, “There is a whisper inside you that says, ‘there must be more.’ And there is.”
I believe that every man is born with a longing for satisfaction. Where we turn to be satisfied is the true testimony of our eternity. I believe that Steve has this desire. Steve believes that doing good is his purpose and in that he will find satisfaction. And he might. Actually he probably will. But will that satisfaction last, is the question. The true answer is no. Satisfaction outside of Jesus will not last.
“Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food.”
Isaiah 55:2
So I say all of this to convey that true joy and satisfaction come from Jesus. This month in Vietnam, that joy comes from breaking the law for Jesus and sharing his love with everyone we encounter.
I’m a rebel in this world for the sake of the Kingdom and my cause is the urgency that everyone must know the love of Jesus.
Thank you so much for reading!!
Please continue to pray for every single person we encounter, that they can see Jesus through my life and my words, and come to know Him. Pray for Steve, specifically, that he will see Jesus as the source of true satisfaction and joy. He was very curious and I have faith that he will become a believer very soon.
Love,
Gabbie 🙂
