Fatima is weary from her flight to Mecca. She saved up money for years to come to Mecca, the holy city of Islam. She wants to fulfill all of the five pillars of Islam. She wants forgiveness of sins. The hustle and bustle of the city overwhelm her. Millions are there with Fatima. Some smile and others look distraught. Some eagerly wait for their turn to enter the holy place. Other women are in line to walk with their mahram (a male that must walk with the women). She saw some ladies leaving the pilgrimage with tears. They were not tears of joy, but of abuse. She does not have the respect she wants from her husband. He just married a younger, more beautiful girl. She fought and complained, but her husband nearly beat her and said that she must submit. She felt at odds and hurt, but she knew that the Prophet did the same. He married many other women. She walked around the Kaaba (Black monument in the center of Mecca) and was groped several times. Once again, she felt hurt, but maybe she had to suffer and sacrifice like this for Allah to see her and forgive her. After her experience, she thought, “Is it true that I’ve been forgiven of my sins? I know I will fail again. Can I have the peace that I have been searching for?” She then goes back to Egypt and ready to do more in Islam, but still feeling empty and uncertain about her future.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:” Eph 1:4.
Many people look for hope and peace. I praise the Lord for the God of the Bible. The Holy God of heaven made Himself accessible when He became flesh and then died and rose again from the dead. He conquered death and ever lives to intercede for the believer. We trust in Him and He receives us, and we receive Him. Along with Christ, we have all spiritual blessings in Him. He is the sweet treasure that is also love, joy, peace, forgiveness, righteousness. He is my wisdom in times of doubt. He is freedom from bondage. He is victory over the grave. He is all I need.
When Paul was being beaten and worn. He too had fears and doubts, but he rested in the all sufficient God to hold and keep him. No matter what the conflict, he knew Christ was his deliverance.
“For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life: But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;” 2 Cor 1:8-10
There are people searching for these things and cannot seem to find them. This search manifests itself in so many ways. One was described above, but the same can be seen in the dedicated Buddhist with his chants searching to be nothing. The atheist that denies God and lives his life not regarding the authority of the Almighty that is clearly seen in creation and conscience and in the word of God. It shows forth in the life of the meth addict that wants another fix. Christ fulfills and He gives all and gives according to the riches of His grace. We are blessed.
Look around you today and see those around you as Christ sees them. Are there people around you that are searching for something that you have been freely given? Share this treasure that can fill. Share the Gospel. They can receive these spiritual blessings, when they receive Christ.
