i’ve been reading this book by erwin mcmanus titled “Soul Cravings” and it is amazing! in it he tells about a time he was invited to speak to a group of muslims about the history of christianity. they wanted to know what exactly was the meaning behind the coming of Jesus. and this was his answer…
“I once met a girl named Kim..” My translator looked at me confused. I’m sure he was wracking his brain, trying to remember some biblical character named Kim. He stopped translating and just looked at me. I encouraged him to simply translate. “I once met a girl named Kim, and I fell in love. I pursued her with my love and pursued her with my love until I felt my love had captured her heart. So I asked her to be my wife, and she did not say yes.” I could feel their empathy, if not their pity. “I was unrelenting and asked her again, pursuing her with my love and I pursued her with my love until she said yes.” There was huge relief throughout the entire room. I went on, “I did not send my brother, nor did I send a friend. For in issues of love, you must go yourself.” “This is the story of God: he pursues you with his love and pursues you with his love, and you have perhaps not said yes. And even if you reject his love, he pursues you ever still. It was not enough to send an angel or a prophet or any other, for in issues of love, you must go yourself. And so God has come.” “This is the story of Jesus, that God has walked among us and he pursues us with his love. He is very familiar with rejection but is undeterred. And he is here even now, still pursuing you with his love.” The images we often receive of Muslims are that they’re angry, hostile, and violent people. I can tell you that in this moment I knew there was something transcendent that connected all of our hearts and souls together. A belief that was supposed to divide us strangely united us, and I feel most certain I know why. Every human being longs for love. The possibility that God is love is an almost overwhelming prospect…
