Though Ramadan is past, I wanted to take a minute to reflect on it and consider the lessons we can learn from it as well.
Gotquestions.org says that “Ramadan is a holy month in the religion of Islam and is marked by a time of required fasting. Observance of Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. By fasting during this month, Muslims believe they earn spiritual rewards and draw closer to Allah.”
“The word Ramadan comes from the Arabic word ramida, which means “intense, scorching heat or dryness.” It is believed among adherents of Islam that Ramadan burns away a person’s sins with good deeds. Muslims seek to suppress everything sinful in themselves, putting away all vices and bad behavior and desires, in order to show their dedication to Allah and their hope that he will be merciful to them. The word Islam means “submission,” and the posture of obedience and self-denial taken during the month of Ramadan is the ultimate act of a Muslim’s submission to Allah.” source
While this is interesting to note this, it was also interesting to ask why they practice it and what they thought of it. Amongst the students I have, this time seemed to be more of a burden that had to be done and rather than a delight. In many ways this is not surprising as Islam means submission. At the same time, during this month of painful fasting, many eat large quantities of food in the early morning and at night, with some students actually gaining weight during their fasting month!
For some, it is a burden they must bear, for others it is a way to earn “salvation” points and for others its part of their religious culture. During one class, I asked a Middle Eastern student where his friend was and he said, “Mo. Ramadan. Dead.” Though we laughed, there was also truth to the joke. (name changed)
And I have to ask, how many of see going to church and reading the Bible in a similar way? Or see obedience to God’s commands in the same way? Honestly, is following Jesus a burden or a delight? This was a reminder to me to asses my own heart and see how I view following Jesus. If following Jesus is a burden – then my heart is not right and my view of Jesus is not right. But when we see Jesus for who He is and what He has done, following Jesus must become a delight.
But be careful not to confuse delight with easy. Hebrews 12:2 (ESV) looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Let us go forth in obedience to God, serving Him in the easy and hard parts of life out of delight and give Him everything we have and make disciples of all nations for the glory of God!
Turners at WFI 