Verse For The Day - September 8, 2008

"For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the Lord." Proverbs 8:35

There's a store in Houston I've enjoyed shopping in for the past few years & over the course of time, I've had the opportunity to get to know one of the girls who works there. From our prior conversations I've learned that she is Muslim, and likewise, she knows that I'm a Christian, and whenever I go in & she's working, we just share bits of life back & forth and enjoy talking with one another.
Over the weekend, I saw her as I was shopping, and she shared with me how this was a very hard month for her. In the Muslim faith, this is the month of their fast (Ramadan). They can eat at sun up & sun down, but are not to eat or drink anything at all in between, she told me she wouldn't even wear lip gloss for fear she may lick it off her lips. She told me of how upset she was that other college friends of hers, also Muslim, were choosing not to fast anymore, how they are not taking their religion seriously enough.
As she shared, my heart just broke for her. She was trying so hard to "do the right thing," but for what reason? Wasn't it all in vain? If real love does not compel us to "do the right thing," aren't we doing it for the wrong reasons anyway? As I left that day, I felt like God reminded me that even in Christian circles, we do this very thing. We pray, we fast, we serve, but sometimes for all the wrong reasons. We're not compelled by love. We're looking around & wondering why so & so is not doing ALL that we are, we're so worried about what other people are doing or are NOT doing.
I'm praying today that God will remind us that through HIM, we have LIFE, we have PURPOSE to do all that He calls us to, it is not in vain if we are seeking to honor Him in all that we do.
If you are reading this today, would you pray with me for my Muslim friend? I'm praying that the eyes of her heart will be enlightened to see the TRUTH of Jesus Christ, that our loving & merciful God will chase after her and bring His freedom & LIFE to her & to her family!