"Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, and
even the powers of hell can’t keep God’s love away." Romans 8:38b
When we have Muslim friends the time will probably
come when we will be given an artifact gift which may cause us some concern
what to do with it. What if a friend gives us a necklace with the Ka’aba charm?
Such artifacts usually have a clear religious symbolism or purpose connected to
them. At other times we will receive gifts which have no religious significance
and do not compromise our faith convictions.
One of the first gifts I received was a hand of Fatima
artifact. It came in the mail from a friend who returned to Iran. It was meant to provide protection for me. My friend loved me and meant only good but I
depend on the Lord Jesus to protect me, not the hand of Fatima. I kept it for a
while and put it away in a cupboard, thinking it could be used for teaching
seminars about folklore beliefs. But after some time I didn’t feel I needed to
have the actual relic to teach about it so I disposed of it. Another time a
Muslim friend gave me a Turkish blue eye pendant to hang in my house. It proved
awkward for me because it was a birthday gift and she was with me as I opened
it.
What should I do with it, I wondered? It was meant to divert bad luck but I don’t
believe in bad luck. My faith is not in such objects but in a Redeemer who
brings good out of evil. I didn’t want
to hurt her feelings by refusing it so I thanked her for remembering my
birthday and asked her if she thought the eye would bring protection and good
luck? “Yes”, she replied. I explained my protection is really just in
God. Later I disposed of it. Another
time it was not an artifact which was given to me but a friend offered me zamzam
water to drink from Hagar's well in Saudi Arabia. It was a stressful moment but I
thanked her for her kindness and then inquired why she drinks zamzam water? “Is
it meant to bring healing or blessing?” I asked. She laughed but didn’t answer
my question. Finally a family member spoke up that they believe it brings healing. I
replied, "Actually I have something better than zamzam water. I have Living
Water, who is Jesus Himself.”
We will respond in different ways. We can immediately
refuse to accept the gift and possibly jeopardize a friendship and hurt their feelings. Or we can accept it and keep it but not use
it or we can dispose of it afterwards.
For me the most important thing is to understand the intended purpose of the artifact. Such gift receiving times provide excellent opportunities to inquire, listen, and
speak into our friend’s fears and anxieties and to share about the protection
we find in Almighty God. Being human means that we will each encounter suffering at some point but
that God is with us and is our Redeemer, Protector, and Savior.
Dear heavenly Father, if you would not be with me I
would need such artifacts but You have promised Your presence and love at all
times. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Dear heavenly Father, if you would not be with me I
would need such artifacts but You have promised Your presence and love at all
times. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
