Refreshing

What a blessing it is to be welcomed.
I spent this weekend at the Engel's house-a family from the church that has adopted the refugee family, and it was one of the most relaxing and refreshing weekends I've ever had!  I had couple of rough days there at the end of the week, so some God-given rest was the perfect answer.


Friday night I had an interesting adventure with a Somali lady who has befriended the family and really helped them a lot.  She's an interesting mix of American and Somali, which is good for the family to see.  Like most Somalis I've met, when she realized I want to learn their culture and language, she wanted to make sure I totally fit by being a Muslim.  Let's just say I have much more empathy for people who've been turned off to Christianity by forceful, trophy-claiming evangelists.  It is totally revolting to be coerced, to have facts, verses and prepackaged sentences thrown at you to make you bow to the logic of it all, to be humiliated or tricked into admission.  I can understand why so many have refused Christ because of the witness of Christians like this.  If for nothing else, I would reject Islam because of some of its followers.  Praise God I'm not in the market for new truth and my faith is deeply, solidly rooted in love for the Messiah.  Because of this firm foundation, I don't feel afraid when I'm witnessed to, whether by Muslims, Mormons or Atheists, but man it's still exhausting.  It's hard to be alert, listening to the Spirit, waiting patiently to speak without appearing to agree with what they're saying.  If I go on the defensive in those conversations and I am totally convinced of what I believe, how much more intimidating must it be for people who are not sure what they think, but obviously don't want to be proved wrong or shamed.


I think maybe in my conversations with people who have not met Jesus, I want to ask more questions.  That's the nugget I came away from that experience with.  There's a time to speak truth and boldly represent the Kingdom of God in words, but actions speak louder and most of the time people prefer to talk than be talked at.  I might have the right answer and know what a person is truly seeking, but how many times have I myself known the truth but ignored it until my heart was ready to hear it?  So my groundbreaking (haha) strategy is to shut up, listen, and love.  Oh and pray.  :)