Last night my two sisters, parents, and I were blessed by a amazing testimony. We watched
"Escape From Darkness" by Daniel Shayesteh. Mr. Shayesteh was a co-founder of Hezbollah in Iran before the revolution. Able to recite the entire Quaran in Arabic (a language he did not understand) by the age of 9, he was a model of devotion to other Muslim boys. As he grew older he quickly became a radical Muslim and began training young boys and girls to be ready for Jihad (or Holy War) against the infidels (Jews, Christians, and especially Americans). When the new government of Iran was established he was kidnapped because Ayatollah, the new "president", didn't like his political agenda. Tortured and sentenced to death, he was remarkably able to make his escape to Turkey. While there he began attending a Christian church. Unable to understand the Christians' genuine love, care, and compassion, he was driven to the Scriptures. Coming from a religion where hate and anger was the god, he was amazed by the simplicity and love of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He now travels widely, sharing his testimony from dark to light. His love for Jesus and his passion for what he had been saved from, shines through his face as he speaks. He especially stresses the need for just the simplicity of the gospel in America. That is what saves. Not the religion but the relationship.
Dear friends, do we hold to the simplicity of Christ and His Word? Do I? That is what causes us to be attractive to the ungodly. Do we seriously "walk the walk" and not just "talk the talk"? People are watching us! In America our biggest blessing (material wealth) is also our biggest curse. We sometimes forget that we have a Savior who is ever ready to have a deeper, more personal relationship with us, because we're constantly surrounded by "worldly things".
Will you join me in trying to live in the simplicity of Christ so we may be a light to the world?
“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden." Matthew 5:14
Learning to delight in Jesus,
Hannah
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