Please see the special note at the end of this post.
There’s a guy in my small community who spends many of his waking hours walking up and down the highway. This isn’t so much a “hit my fitbit steps goal,” as maybe walking out his demons. His face is set, grim and shows the wear of countless hours of Colorado sun and wind.
A friend at church asked me Sunday morning if I would be inclined to engage this guy in conversation. In a rare burst of honesty, I said probably not. When she asked why, I gave it some thought and replied, “I have no idea what’s going on in that guy’s world.” My spidey sense (Which may often be contrary to the Holy Spirit.) says it’s best to stay back. Play it safe. It could get weird if I get too close.
This realization, of which I’m not too proud, made me wonder how many Christians experience something similar when it comes to Muslims. It’s not anger or apathy that keeps us keeping our distance, but more a sense of not knowing anything about their world, having no way to guess what’s on the other side of a “hello.”
Does this ring true with you? Do you suspect it in friends, family, fellow Christians? Given some of the popular narratives about Muslims these days, suspicion and discretion are not a big surprise, are they?
This matters because I hope Muslim Connect helps fill in that knowledge and experience gap.
If this dynamic is real, what else can you imagine that would help counter it?
How can we build a prevailing sense that the other side of “hello” looks like this: On the one hand, lots of relational work, cross-cultural awkwardness and probably some theological challenges. But on the other hand, yummy food, interesting conversations and maybe a fresh episode of the abundant life Jesus said he came to bring.
Please share your ideas below.
Thank you for this, the last Muslim Connect of 2019. I’m honored and grateful. If you’ve found value in Muslim Connect, can I ask you to consider two things? 1. Hit the forward button and share it with a friend. Or a bunch of friends! 2. Ask God if he would lead you to give a year-end financial gift to keep it going. You can do so here. Thank you.
Whenever we make new friends we don’t know what’s on the other side of “Hello” no matter who they are. It should be no different for Muslims. After “Hello,” we need to ask questions and listen to our stranger’s answers and then develop conversations with them, whoever they may be.
Good point, David. Thank you for reading Muslim Connect and sharing your thoughts.
Shawn, by now I am sure you HAVE spoken to this man on the road. You have thought about the contact in church, and you have spoken to this guy. Tell me what happened.
I’m an ordinary guy, except for my age at 86. I live in an apartment, and on Dec. 24th I picked up four boxes of food that were collected, to take to the Food Bank. A young fellow of the apartment, no more than 30, offered to assist me, told me the recipients of this food will appreciate it a lot, and that he had been on the street for years, on alcohol and much more. But he was now CLEAN for four years. He said this with a radiant face. (I immediately thought, “Do I glow like this, and am I ready to talk of my joy in knowing Jesus?”) I shook his hand and asked for his name, Mark. “John” I said, and next he said ” … like the Gospels”. That took me for another shock! Now there is room for more talk the next time I meet him. I was happy.
I saw the black woman leave the apartment building and walk to the sidewalk, and offered her a ride to town. She accepted. A good exchange, and her remark that she could not make purchases for Christmas as she wished, because of eye problems. Again, happy I spoke with her! And I look forward to seeing her again. This is what Jesus said, “… of the kingdom of heaven.”
The way I see it, every time I venture out of my door, I need to be alert for “God appointments.” Sometimes it’s the cashier who was worried about her husband and son who had just moved to an area of Kansas under tornado watch. It may be the beggar on the corner. It may be the lady at the airport carrying her son while struggling with 2 bags going down the conveyor belt to her boarding gate.
Like Jesus in Mark 5, I try to make a point of allowing myself to interrupt what I’m doing to pray, give, help out–because that’s JESUS who needs my help, and I ALWAYS have time for Him.
Schatzi,
Always a pleasure to hear from you. Thank you for reading Muslim Connect and for being available to Jesus! May he continue to use you in wonderful ways for his kingdom.
Hey John,
I’m honored that you read Muslim Connect. Thank you! And Thank you for taking time to share your experiences. God is certainly using you!
I haven’t seen the man since I wrote about him in Muslim Connect. Maybe soon.
I’ll keep this simple. I am not a Christian, but I respect Christian’s beliefs.
I have read all the messages above, and agree with all the interactions that the writers of the messages have had with members of other religions.
We should not be afraid to talk with people who believe in different “god”s as long as we respect their beliefs as we would wish others to respect ours.
If they tell us about their faith and their beliefs and their god’s, we should listen and try to understand life from their perspectives. I have many Christian friends and agree with much of what Jesus preached. If you have an in-depth conversation with Muslims, or Jews or any other religion’s followers, you will find many of the same ideas and principles as Christians have. If you treat them with respect and listen to what they tell you, they will more than likely listen respectfully to what you have to say. Maybe a dialog will result, and maybe some minds and attitudes may be changed.