Jesus: “For the Father tenderly loves you, because you love me and believe that I’ve come from God. I came to you sent from the Father’s presence, and I entered into the created world, and now I will leave this world and return to the Father’s side.””
John 16:27-28 TPT
Jesus: “I have come as a light to shine in this dark world so that all who trust in me will no longer wander in darkness.”
John 12:46 TPT
“Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.””
John 8:12 ESV
The Muslim holy month of Ramadan has begun here in Biga, Turkey. Many Muslims are fasting all liquids and food from sun up to sun down during this month. The purpose is to devote themselves to their faith (Islam) and come closer to Allah (God). With this, there is a new addition in the town, on top of the prayer 5 times a day that echos through the town from the mosques: the 3:30 am drum sets from men walking through the streets of Biga. Anywho, this morning, Friday March 30th, I was once again awoken by the drums, but this time it was different…I woke up repeating in my head: “living in the true light is better than in this mundane world.” Immediately, a place that my friends and I visit often came to mind, the coffee shop that we have claimed as our home base. I immediately started praying for them, deeply desiring for them to know Jesus.
Quick side note since you have no clue what’s been going on here in Biga, Turkey:
My team of 5 girls plus the wonderful SQL, Katherine, were sent to Biga with the intentions of partnering with a ministry, but that fell through last minute…we were left with no direction or plan. Therefore, our time became fully ATL (Ask the Lord). We could go wherever the Lord wanted us to and do whatever we felt led to do. This quickly led us to this local coffee shop I mentioned before. On top of becoming friends with the wonderful baristas at this shop, we have had the opportunity to meet many other wonderful people. One week, we also got to go visit some of our friends’ home village. People here in Biga, Turkey have been incredibly kind, welcoming, and hospitable to us! Turkish culture is very warm. With all this, I can’t exactly tell you what our weekly schedule looks like, as we don’t exactly have one…now a days, it includes pursuing our friendships we have made so far and being interruptible wherever we are going.
Side note over…
I have made some interesting revelations recently in light to my early morning prayer. When you choose to believe that Jesus is the son of God and came to die on the cross for our sins, a light is lit from within you. The Holy Spirit now lives in you and you are not the same as before. You now live in the light and the darkness has no hold on you. With that, I have been convincing myself for too long now that I must show up as a super kind and joyful person to “convince” people that I am different so they would feel encouraged to follow Jesus. But, interestingly enough, I don’t need to do anything. Simply walking, I shine the light of the Lord. The love of the Lord shines through my eyes and radiates from every smile I give by-passers on the street. The reality is that we shine Jesus and we don’t have to do anything to do that. I also believe the deeper you get with Jesus and the more you let him move, the brighter this light shines. (Although, this isn’t saying you shouldn’t be loving in all things you do, but showing the power of having the Holy Spirit within you. You should definitely treat everyone how Jesus did)
Bringing this all together now for y’all: I am certain that my team and I have brought something special to this home base coffee shop in Biga. We have brought a light and joy that is different and special. It is Jesus. We have brought Jesus in all our conversations, every smile, every “Merhaba nasılsın” and by simply sitting in the coffee shop. I don’t want to leave Biga without knowing that a new light is being lit. I desire for at least one person in that coffee shop to be reborn and have this light of Jesus shine from within them. The thought of them going back to their mundane lifestyle when we leave breaks my heart. Therefore, friends and family, please be praying for our friends here in Biga! Pray that their hearts are softened, their eyes and ears are opened. Pray that they may want to know Jesus and have a true relationship with him. Pray that they may desire the light over the darkness. Please be praying for our wonderful friends!
Vic, this was written with the utmost respect for your friends and the communities we have an honor to be a part of here. I will be praying for miraculous heart change that ultimately will lead to deep relationship with Jesus. Wow, God intricately designed this unexpected relationship. Thanks for shining the light & reminding me that the Holy Spirit already shines within us.
So good to get caught up to you, so good. I’m praying that your clear words explaining the good news will be understood by the work of the Holy Spirit along with the beautiful Jesus living through you.
Praying for Biga! Beautiful expression of words for all that’s happening in Turkey. The Lord meets us in unique ways as we are faithful too seek Him. Love this blog! Oxox
I love hearing what you learned about not “striving” to show Jesus to the world around you but rather just “be.” And the coffee shop sounds like a great spot! I will pray for the new friends. And I truly hope you get to be with my Kori in Jordan.
Victoria, I love hearing what God is speaking to your heart. It is so cool how you woke up with the phrase: “living in the true light is better than in this mundane world.” Man, to chase after God is so much better than chasing after anything this world could offer. I really can see that in your life. Honored to be doing life with you.