Looking for Answers

“Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you.” Matthew 7:7, NASB.

Ian* grew up in a religiously divided home. His father was Christian, and his mother was Muslim. As a boy Ian had decided to follow his mom and became Muslim. He attended worship in the Mosque and learned to read Arabic. When he grew older he heard about the miracles of Isa (the Arabic name for Jesus); Isa healed people and even brought people back from the dead. He looked in the Quran to see what it taught about the Prophet Isa.

He asked his mother, “Which account of Isa is true? What the Christians believe or what Muslims believe? Did Isa heal people and raise the dead?” His mother had no answer. Then he asked his mom, “Tell me more about our great prophet, Mohammad.” Again, she had no answer.

Then Ian asked his dad. His dad took him to the Bible, and they studied the death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus. Ian was in tremendous inner turmoil. His dad seemed to have better answers, but leaving his religion was unthinkable. One evening the turmoil inside him became so intense that he began to cry. His body started shaking. For the first time he prayed in the Name of Jesus, and a deep peace came over him.

After that experience Ian started going to church with his dad. The pastor took an interest in Ian and started discipling him. But the decision to follow Jesus came later when Ian had a dream.

In Ian’s dream a bright shining figure spoke to him. He was unsure if the shining man was Jesus or an angel, but the being said, “You follow me, and you will become a new child.” When he met the pastor he asked him what the dream meant. The pastor shared about the Bible’s promise that all who follow Jesus become new creations.

Ian told his mom about the dream and asked her what she thought. Ian’s mom decided to follow the Jesus who was calling her son! They both prayed to receive Jesus. When Ian’s grandparents from her mom’s family found out, they kicked Ian and his mother out of the family. Ian decided that was part of what the dream meant. He and his mother were new children in a new family.

Today Ian uses his musical talents to lead worship at the church that he attends with his mother and father. He knows that he has at last found the answers he was looking for as a boy.

*Name changed for security reasons.

Pray that:

Ian’s grandparents will come to know Jesus as Ian and his mother do.

Believers in the Pacific Rim will be prepared to give an answer for the hope that they have with gentleness and respect.

Pacific Rim is a region of the International Mission Board, SBC.