One of the joys of my communications job at my church is the occasional interview I videotape and edit for Sunday mornings. Usually, I film the testimonies of individuals or reports from missionaries. Last week I had the wonderful opportunity to film the testimony of a lady in our church. For the sake of privacy, I'll call her "Sharon."
Sharon was born in Iran, at a time when the Shah was still in charge and the United States had an embassy in Tehran. Her parents were middle class citizens, well educated, and going through the motions as public Muslims. But in private they rejected religion, choosing to worship science and intellect. Sharon was subject to strong anti-religious views at home, and when the Islamic Revolution hit in 1979, she was sent overseas by her parents to live with her aunt and uncle in California. The hope was that Sharon, then 14 years old, would find a solid education in science and become something important — maybe a doctor or lawyer.
What Sharon found instead was the Lord Jesus Christ. Through a series of events that she believes God orchestrated, Sharon believed in the existence of God and the Lord Jesus. She says, "God gave me faith. It's a simple as that. God gave me faith, and I believed." I've found that He tends to do that from time to time when our faith is found lacking.
Sharon decided to sneak away from her aunt and uncle and start attending a local church. She had no choice as a teenager living under a secular roof. She told her aunt and uncle she was going to the library but instead used her bus pass to go to church. She hungered and thirsted to know God and be around His other children. She hid her church attendance for months until she could conceal it no longer. It's hard to get away with "library attendance" every Sunday morning! When Sharon decided to enroll in a Christian college, the cat was out of the bag.
Sharon's aunt and uncle were stunned and upset. They grounded her from going to church and a long period of hardship ensued. Sharon's mother in Iran expressed her disappointment over the phone. Sharon's parents had not sent their daughter to America to find religion! Her father said he wouldn't speak to her again if she continued to follow Christ. Her aunt and uncle eventually told her she could no longer live in their house. In most people, this would have torn a heart in two and I don't doubt that Sharon was hurting inside. But she said she was at peace.
Her reason? Her Savior! She had, as Saint Peter put it, "passed from darkness into light." (1 Peter 2:9). Sharon clung to the words of Jesus during this time, especially a passage from the Sermon on the Mount. Her life verse became: "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (Matt 6:33)" She knew that if she continued to pursue God, no matter what the consequence, He would take care of her.
The next month or two of her life demonstrated that a life of faith, dependent on God's provision, is not foolishness. She went to live with another aunt in town for three weeks, then moved into a college dorm early. She received money from various sources, a job in the school library, cast-off clothing from fellow students, and all of her needs met. How awesome!
God does not drop the ball, folks. He will provide for you. It gives Him pleasure as a Father.
Sharon went on to meet her future husband at the college and marry him just weeks before her visa ran out and she would've had to return to Iran. Returning was not an option for Sharon.
She couldn't go home again. Islamic law forbids the conversion of a Muslim to any other religion. Though not Muslim by belief, her family was outwardly Muslim. The penalty for forsaking Islam could have cost Sharon her life. And since she wasn't going to renounce Christ....
They have a daughter now and are happy living in North Texas. As for her Iranian family, they are now on speaking terms, though her parents still think religion is foolishness best fit for the uneducated. They have to meet in a third country to visit, though, since Sharon can't step foot in Iran and Iranians have a hard time stepping foot in the U.S.
Sharon's story reminded me that the cost of following Jesus sometimes means leaving family, friends, and country. But followers are not left isolated and alone. No, those who follow Christ inherit a new family, new friends, and a new country — a kingdom that is everlasting and a king who never falters.
Sharon's right. Seek first God's kingdom and His righteousness. No matter the cost.
Be God's!
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