Murat


Yesterday was Tuesday. We made soup for the neighborhood at church. We had a good crowd yesterday, lots of people came for the first time and several regulars were also there. I was standing near the door when "Murat" came in. He is a young man in his 20's, imposingly big. He said that he had heard that the church was open on Tuesdays for conversation and he wanted to talk. I sat down with Murat and one of our Turkish students.

Murat explained that he had been to the church once before to get a Bible. He was also given a Josh McDowell book about the divinity of Christ. He had read both books and knew them well. For months he had been a member on one of the Turkish Christian chat sites, going regularly to find answers to his questions. He said that he no longer considered himself a Muslim, although he used to have a leadership role in a very conservative Muslim sect. For some time he had felt sympathies with pantheism, the belief that the universe itself is God. I talked for a little while with him about the incoherence of pantheism, but he really didn't need convincing.

Murat explained that for some time he had been feeling drawn to Christianity. He found real truth in the Bible and discovered that what he was dissatisfied with in İslam was fulfilled in Christianity, where God is accessible and where we are motivated to serve him because of his great love for us. He said that he had been ready to become a Christian but the church had been closed the last time he came. He waited until Tuesday when he heard there was a soup day.

My Turkish friend and I shared with him for a while longer about the basics of the gospel, forgiveness for sins, and new life in Jesus. As we shared he started to cry so I suggested that we take the conversation downstairs where we could pray in private. As we shared Murat said his "insides were bubbling up," a Turkish expression to describe excitement and exhiliration. When it became clear that he was ready to make a real commitment to Jesus we prayed for him and then asked him to pray in his own words. He asked God to forgive him, to change him, and to help him. I led him in a simple confession based on Romans 10:9 and when were done Murat was beaming. He looked like he was going to fly away when he asked "Can I call myself a Christian now?"

We shared with him about his new life, about the difficulties he would face, and about the importance of being dedicated to God's word and to the church. Our pastor happened to be at church yesterday so he also came in to share with Murat for a few minutes and to pray for him.

Murat is not unfamiliar with struggles. He is a recovering alcoholic with a long road of temptation and healing ahead of him. Pray for Murat. Pray for his commitment to Jesus. Pray for his inclusion in the church. Pray for his recovery from alcoholism. And pray for his family who were already angry with him for his expressed interest in the gospel.

Comments

Susannah said…
Wow!

Great story. Well told and so exciting to hear about.
May 13, 2009 at 1:01 AM
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