“…Rejoice with me, because I have found my sheep that was lost.” Luke 15:6
My first encounter with a Muslim cemetery was in a small mountain village in Kosovo. We were hiking the mountains and made a stop at a level spot just behind a cemetery. I propped myself against the fence surrounding the graveyard to catch my breath only to have it quickly taken away. My view of symmetrical gray headstones backed by a mosque and stunning mountains was interrupted by a familiar voice softly saying, “These are my sheep that never made it back.” These words revisited my thoughts during a prayer walk in Selçuk, Turkey. As I watched elderly Muslim women attend the graves of their loved ones, my heart broke knowing that these people may never enter the Kingdom.
These are my sheep that never made it back
As a lukewarm Christian most of my life, it was easy for me to sit back and rest on the assurance of my own salvation. To go to church, read my Jesus Calling book every morning, and to listen to K-Love every once in a while, that was good enough for me. It was SUPER comfortable for me to throw my faith into neutral knowing that everyone around me had not only heard the name of Jesus but also attended church regularly. My salvation was good and set; everyone else’s salvation was their business.
But now…NOW I have left those old expectations in the dust. I have moved on to the meat and potatoes portion of my faith journey and I am driven by an urgency that can only be described by my tears hitting the peeling paint of the fence in that remote mountain village as I realize the eternal weight of some people never even hearing the name of Jesus. This is merely one of many realizations I have had spending time in this part of the world. My prayer is that all who are lost realize they are lost and become desperate to know the truth. I pray they encounter Jesus in their dreams and they are shown righteous love by Christians around them.
You write so beautifully and you evoke such emotion in the reader…..including me. Thank you for your spirit-filled heart! We continue to pray for you with love.
Thank you so much for your continued love & support, Keith!
It’s an honor to share what the LORD is teaching me along the way!
What a tender, precious blog, Claran. I love your heart. This is the most powerful thing you said (in my opinion): ” My prayer is that all who are lost realize they are lost and become desperate to know the truth. I pray they encounter Jesus in their dreams and they are shown righteous love by Christians around them.” Amen!
Powerful and touching.
Sweetheart, we are to love all. I know how hard the sight for you to see before you was difficult as you may have imaged the story those Muslims may have told you. .. The Lord who suffered on the cross, of whom you call your Shepard is not my shepherd. There have been things in my life I have not received. Things I have needed to make life good for me. Life has been difficult with little time for peace and rest. My life has been turbulent, unsure, and tiring. I have lead my life as I desired, I have stumbled on the paths of life often searching for direction and stability. My very soul is cold and unsure. As I search alone for the way, I can not find where to go. I seek yet as I go, the path only leads down into darkness of the valley. I am alone and I am blinded by the darkness. Confusion of the evil that surrounds me, fills my heart and mind. The depths of darkness surround me by shadows of death as I walk. All is void. I can only fear as all evil shall surely succumb me. I no guide or Shepard to come with me therefore, again, I am alone. except for my enemies.They stand before me but the table is not prepared. The oil remains in the vessel, as it is not for me. The cup is dry and empty. I am defenseless. I will never have goodness in my life. I will receive constant condemnation and punishment for my mistakes and misdoings. The house before me which offers shelter from all and protection for eternity is not mine to enter. This house is the Lord’s the Shepard of His flock.
Claran, I am fine sweetheart. The words I wrote in my post might very well be the words spoken in death of a non believer. The words are haunting and rest assured, they are words I will never have to claim are mine. I love you??