The Divine Encounter
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (NIV) Matthew 11:28-30
This year has been one of a new beginning; though I was a Muslim, God revealed himself and the truth to me in a special way that is Jesus Christ. Like many people all over the world, I was seeking the truth and by the grace of God I received it in full. I was fortunate that God placed a woman in my life who knew Jesus Christ. I did not know much about Jesus Christ; rather He was only mentioned as a prophet in the Quran. One night I decided to pray but not the traditional Muslim way, but just as person speaking with God. I asked "God if it is true that the only way to heaven is through Jesus Christ then please show me a sign". The next morning my boss at work asked whether I have seen the movie; Ben Hur and kept going on talking about how great Jesus Christ is.
Sometimes the circumstances we find ourselves in hinder us from starting a new beginning with Jesus. Maybe it is our country of origin, family or friends. But listen to what Jesus says in Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. The greatest testimony I have for being a Christian is the Holy Spirit. In Luke 11:13 the bible says that “if you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him! ”. You do not receive the Holy Spirit through Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism etc. But only through Jesus Christ, which confirms all the things Jesus taught.
My encouragement to all and sundry is to seek God from a genuine heart, and surely He will reveal Himself to you. God reveals Himself to those who diligently seek him. Put everything aside, and ask the almighty. As Christians, we are to continue to be the Salt and the Light that the world so desperately needs.
Here is a prayer that might help: God I am crying out to you, and I am looking for the truth, please God open my eyes my heart to the light, I won’t to start a new beginning but I am not sure how. Amen.