We invited a conservative Muslim family over for tea
who practice strict social segregation of the sexes. After eating in segregation we asked them if
it would be okay to all sit together so we could show them some of our pictures
from Pakistan days. Surprisingly, they agreed. After we showed them some of our
favourite pictures they wanted to show us some impressive man made glories of
Dubai where they had lived for some years.
What a picture trip of fantasy and glitz we went on. There was an
underwater hotel, huge mall aquarium, the world’s highest building which is
sometimes lit up with fireworks, dancing fountains, cities made in the sea,
water park, etc. The man-made glories were astounding. Then they showed us
pictures from Google-earth of their village in their homeland and even the
family graveyard and the river they used to swim in as kids...even the tree
they swung from had to be shown off. There
was excited chatter among them as they showed their glory places to us.
There’s no Google-heaven yet but, from Scripture, we
do have some idea of the glories awaiting us.
We know they will far surpass Dubai’s man-made wonders a million times
over. The glories of heaven cannot be
contained or adequately illustrated on a map like Google-earth. It’s quite something
that we who know Christ will share in His glory. I really want my Muslim friends to share in
that glory; especially to be part of the glorious wedding feast.
While we await the promise of our future Glory Homeland,
we represent our King of Glory to our Muslim friends. And He can be seen. I was extremely tired from a spiritual battle
one day and was tempted to cancel an appointment with my Libyan friend, Fatima.
My witness will be useless, I
thought. But, I resisted the temptation and pleaded with God to give me the
needed strength. Halfway through our visit Fatima became quiet, stared at
my face and said seriously, “Your face looks very different. You look like a queen.” What?? I imagined she would see weariness and
stress etched all over my face and she saw some royalty? How was that
possible? I realized that through the
cracks of my brokenness a Glory was shining through; not of a queen but of the
King of glory. I couldn't see that but she could. It left me awed that
the Spirit of Glory, Jesus Himself, resides in us, and can actually be seen
radiating from our faces. To me that is the greatest ministry anyone could ever
have. I want to be a sunbeam of His
glory. That exceeds any man-made glory
we could show off.
So, my friend, if you have a Muslim friend, do not
lose heart. Instead of wondering if you are doing and saying everything just right
or enough, why not concentrate on your friend being able to see the Glorious
One shining through you?
Dear heavenly Father, please let your glory be seen
through me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
