Tell me you love Jack Johnson! My wife and I went to see him a few weeks ago, and aside from the not-so-pleasant contact buzz, had an amazingly fun time. This line from his song, Don’t Look Now has stuck with me: “I know that I feel things. I feel like I know things. . . .”
I wouldn’t presume to guess what all those words meant to Jack as he wrote them or now when he sings them. But I know they’re true of me: I feel some things intuitively: “This is true. That, on the other hand, is way sketchy!” And I think I know some stuff, “God intensely loves the Muslims he’s made and dreams of the roles they’ll play in his kingdom.”
Of course, I don’t know most things and I wonder about a lot. For instance, I’m continually curious how you, and people in general, think and feel about Muslims.
Like this: What would your initial thought or feeling be if you learned the new teacher for your child (grandchild, niece, nephew) was a hijab-wearing Muslim woman?
There’s no shame or scolding here. We are who we are and God delights in us. But it’s worth taking a look.
Would you take 30 seconds to answer one or two of these questions:
- People (maybe me) tend to feel this way about Muslims: (answer)
- People (maybe me) think Muslims will/intend to. . . (answer)
- People (maybe me) are angry about Muslims because. . . (answer)
- People (maybe me) are worried about Muslims doing/becoming. . . (answer)
- People (maybe me) have trouble with Muslims because. . . . (answer)
Thank you for whatever time you take to help me understand that broader mindset. I echo Paul’s prayer for his buds in Philipi, “May we have the same mindset as Christ Jesus. . . .” Indeed.
During this September, I’m raising funds to keep Muslim Connect going and growing. This is the last week to make a contribution (find me under the “Staff” dropdown) and receive a complimentary copy of the new book by my friend Fouad Masri, Sharing Jesus with Muslims: A Step-by-Step Guide when it comes out on Oct. 11th.
If donating is not in the budget right now, no worries. You can also help by forwarding this email to a couple of friends whom you suspect have thoughts (good or bad) about Muslims, asking them to sign up at shanebennett.com. Thanks a ton!