The pictures of the Virgin Mother stared back at me from the front seat of the cab. The sweat resting on the back of my shirt reminding me that Cairo is a very hot place to live. I found it interesting riding in this cab through those chaotic streets swerving around traffic that I was sitting with a Coptic Christian.
The various images of religious icons hovering on his dash made quite the impression this was a very religious man. Coptic Christians are the minority population in Egypt. They claim their origins began with the missionary journeys of the author of the oldest gospel, John Mark. [Side note: In Alexandria I attempted to visit the cathedral where John Mark is said to have been buried, but alas every cathedral in Alexandria claims to have John Mark buried there.]
Before I left the cab I asked him if there was any way I could pray for him. He then told me a story that he feared for his daughter's soul. She was befriending some Muslim gals and he didn't want to see her lose her faith. It reminded me of the advise we give youth in our evangelical churches. To avoid hanging out with those of other faiths or beliefs. This will in turn strengthen your faith. This advise does not lend much faith in the powerful work of the Spirit who is alone the one who draws us to the Father.
This article by Philip Clayton encouraged me, that we should not fear hanging out with others of different faith or philosophical viewpoints from us. In the end they could be the very source of a renewed confidence in our Hope. Check this article out "How I rediscovered Christianity through Islam."
No comments:
Post a Comment