Go Beyond

Doha, Qatar to Amman, Jordan

I arrived in Jordan, the ancient land of Moab, earlier this afternoon after a flight delay of more than an hour. The flight was relatively uneventful with the exception of a rough landing that slammed us onto the tarmac. I have come to Jordan at the invitation of my hosts in Doha to meet with a Christ-follower who heads Global Hope Network Jordan, a development organization that reaches out to refugees from neighboring countries. Because I am here for only twenty-four hours, we wasted no time in heading toward one of the refugee camps near Madaba, also known as the City of Mosaics. We took a few minutes to stop at the Greek Orthodox Basilica of Saint George in Madaba to look at one of the oldest maps in the world — a floor mosaic of what the Mediterranean world looked like during biblical times. Absolutely amazing.

As my new friend and I talked, he described the scope of his work and how God is using it to change the lives of refugees who live on only a few dollars a month and even less hope. It was apparent to me as we talked that God has given him a compassionate heart for the least of these. He works tirelessly to give the people in the camps a hand up rather than a hand out. His organization demonstrates God’s love to others in the most practical of ways and then trusts Him to open doors to share with them about that love. As he was explaining the nature of their work, he said, “If you will allow people to listen to and enjoy the music of your life, then sooner or later they will want to know the words.” I love that description of how a Christ-follower should live and serve. The way in which we demonstrate God’s love to others should be more like a symphony than a cacophony and should prompt others to ask, “Why are you doing this for (or with) me?”

It’s almost midnight as I write this blog. I’m a bit road weary and want to go to bed. But, I can’t stop thinking about the music of my life and whether or not those who hear it are even interested in wanting to learn the lyrics. John described Jesus as being “full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). Grace is the music that prompts people to ask questions about the lyrics, or the truth. Do others hear the music of grace and kindness flowing from our lives or do they hear the dissonant sounds of self-absorbed living? How long has it been since anyone asked you about the lyrics? As for me, I am more determined than ever to allow God to write the score for the music of my life and to teach me to play it well for others — after all, people are listening whether we realize it or not. I want to give others something worth listening to and then be prepared to teach them the lyrics.