"Why not Jesus?"

Just wanted a photo to keep it interesting.

So, I asked the lady, "Why not Jesus?  Why not the cross?"  And she sat there stunned for a moment.  I am sure I took her by surprise.  And it wasn't exactly fair of me to ask such a profound question in a small waiting room overcrowded with people waiting for their turn at the Belize Immigration Department.

She had started the conversation with me while we were still outside waiting for the doors to open.  We were chatting about her life in Belize and how she just met a man.  She is probably in her early sixties and felt that she hit the "motherlode" when she found a nice Belizean man who was interested in her.  She told me that she had went into a Buddhist temple and after she lit the incense she had met this man.

She is in the business of natural healing.  She uses "eastern" philosophies and only natural herbs and such to heal others.  I think she does chiropractic work as well.  I asked her if her healing art included praying and she said no.  This surprised me a little because she told me a list of different religious symbols that she keeps around her when she is working; Buddha, Isis, American Indian totems, and a few more that I had never heard of.  When I asked if she had any Christian symbols she did say that she kept a Catholic rosary close by.  I couldn't even begin to imagine what all of this must look like in her "office" where she worked.  I kind of laughed, I said, "Have you ever seen the movie The Mummy, with Brendan Frasier?  And she had.  I continued, "This reminds me of when Benny was trying to keep the mummy from killing him by holding up as many different religious symbols as possible, until one worked.  I guess you figure one of your religious symbols will work if you keep trying long enough."  I thought I had gone too far and probably insulted her at this point, but she just laughed and said, "Yea, something like that."

As we were talking, the outside doors to Immigration opened and we all had to go find where we had to patiently wait next.  So, I didn't get a chance to ask many more questions.  I am sure she was probably relieved because we had started talking about her father, which obviously brought up a huge mess of sorrow and anger.  I had asked about how she was brought up in the states and she told me that she had attended an Adventist church only because she had an authoritative, fundamentalist for a father who had always used her as an example to the other kids of what not to do in life.  It was at this point that the doors opened and I felt both of us were happy to walk away from where that part of the conversation was going.

Dennis and I found ourselves a spot to sit and/or stand in while we waited for our number to be called.  I was blessed to get to play with a beautiful little baby for a few minutes.  All the while I kept thinking to myself.  "Why not Jesus?  Why didn't she share her environment and her thinking with Jesus?  She had just about every other religion covered except Jesus.  Catholicism was close but generally that is more about works than grace, more about atonement than relationship.

So, as Dennis was getting our paperwork looked at I just stood there wondering about the whole conversation.  It is kind of like when the Jewish people out in the dessert, told Aaron that they wanted something to worship.  They were tired of waiting for Moses to come down the mountain.  They really didn't want to hear from God anyway.  It was easier to make a golden image and fall down and worship it.  It was easier to do what they have always done.  They didn't want to open their hearts and change what was inside, that is far to painful, too much suffering and self sacrifice involved in that.  It has always been easier to worship idols than to turn to a living God who only wants to love you and make you into the best you ever.  I feel that was the road this lady had chosen.  It was easier for her to get into the false religions of the world than it was to open her heart to let the healing power of Jesus in.

I had to ask her.  I had to hear what she thought about Jesus.  Why wouldn't she include the Cross with all her other religious symbols?  I had a feeling what she would say and I was right.  We had to go through the waiting room in order to exit the building and I knew she would still be out there.  As we made our way through the quietly waiting crowd, I knelt in front of her and leaned in to ask her my question.  "Why not a cross?  Why not Jesus?"  You could see by her expression that she was taken by surprise.  I said, "You have all those other religions represented in your practice, but not the Cross.  I know that I am a complete stranger to you and you really don't even have to answer.  But I have been thinking of you this whole time. And I was just wondering what you thought about Jesus?"

The first thing she said is what many in the world want to believe.  "I believe there is more than one way to heaven."  Man....I knew that was coming.  So I just said, "I believe that the bible is the only place where we can find truth.  I understand that you believe there are many ways to find truth in this world." And she nodded.  "But, what about Jesus?"  I actually asked her again.  Her eyes got kind of glazed over as she looked up at the ceiling.  Then she looked at me,  " I just couldn't even begin to tell you."   I felt our conversation was over and realized that many were listening.  I stood up and smiled and told her maybe I would see her at the market sometime.

I have never had a conversation like this before.  I know that God was using me to open the hearts of those who were listening.  I get no credit here, it was the Holy Spirit working through me.  After all, are we not supposed to representatives of Jesus on this earth?  Are we not, as Pastor David Moore recently stated, "Agents of Change?'

Final words.  I have not always been a voice for God.  I know that I am "putting myself out there" when I make statements like this.  But, there is no shame.  I give myself willingly, for a much worthier cause than myself.  In my flawed way, I give myself to God to do with me what he will.  He always has better plans than we do.  Think about it...

Love you guys!