My Encounter with Osama
by Scott BesseneckerI met Osama this past summer while in Cairo, Egypt. It was really not as scary as one might think. Partly because there were two overwhelming qualities about Osama that put one at ease. First, he was filled with joy despite the harsh circumstances in which he lived. I don't remember ever seeing him without an infectious smile gracing his face. Second, Osama loved to sing. He was regularly found leading children in song. He sang loudly and exuberantly. Especially when he sang about the most important thing in his life - the Lord Jesus Christ.
Osama was a baker in the garbage village where my family and I, along with
a team of InterVarsity students, lived for the summer. He was an Egyptian Coptic
Christian and he was a man full of the Holy Spirit. My encounter with Osama
and with hundreds of Egyptians this summer encourage me not to lose perspective
on the year anniversary of the September 11th attacks.
One perspective that is virtually absent from the American mindset is the existence of the historic churches of the Middle East. Long before the Church spread its wings onto the shores of the "New World" it existed for centuries throughout places like North Africa, Iran, Iraq, and Syria. The Egyptian church is believed to have been begun in the 60's. Not the decade of bell-bottoms, Beatles and barbiturates, but the REAL 60's ... as in AD 60, as in the original Simon Peter, Paul of Tarsus and Mary Magdalene!
Believers were serving Jesus in Egypt while my European ancestors were tree-worshipping barbarians fighting the Roman Empire. We are often oblivious to the beauty and strength of the Palestinian believers living out their faith between the pincers of warring peoples and parties in Israel today. The American Church's strong support of Israel has often left Believers in the historic churches of the East bewildered. As we reflect on the tragedy of September 11th, let us not forget believers who have stood against the tide of hostility for centuries, nor paint with a single color what is an extremely diverse region of the world.
Another perspective that is in danger of getting lost in the remorse and anger over September 11th is our belief in a God who prefers hostility towards Himself to apathy. The letter to the Laodiceans in the book of Revelations says, "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!" Rev. 3:15 Which is more odious to God, a cultural Christian who "plays" church or a hostile unbeliever? According to Jesus' words to the Laodiceans, he finds complacency in the faith more distasteful. Therefore we must be careful as we stir up righteous indignation to examine ourselves.
Not every Osama is a terrorist and not every terrorist is outside the love of God. As we reflect on the events of September 11th let us embrace the wisdom of heaven over the wisdom of the world. James says, "But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness" James 3:17-18. When we are wronged, those who belong to the household of faith have fresh opportunities to display the wisdom of God. This is one of those opportunities.
Scott Bessenecker
Scott has been on staff with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship 14 years and presently serves as the Director of Global Projects. Scott and his wife Janine recently led a Global Urban Trek to Cairo, Egypt.
Unless otherwise noted, all materials on the urbana.org web site are Copyright InterVarsity Christian Fellowship / USA. All rights reserved.
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