Rest for the Restless
We have a Christmas ornament that states: “Wise men still seek Him.” I like that statement, but it is missing something. We seek him because he first sought us. Inside each of us, there is a voice calling us to know our creator. Saint Augustine wrote in his Confessions,
“You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.”
Our Muslim friends need to hear these wise words written so many years ago. They seek to settle the restlessness and uncertainty they feel through their actions or merit by following the Five Pillars of Islam: Fasting, Giving to the Poor, Pilgrimage/Hajj, Daily Prayers, and Reciting their Creed. But it is God’s gift for us to find our rest in Him. It is not based on who we are and what we do, but on him and what he has done for us. Our call as followers of Jesus is to speak the Word, live out the Word in front of them, and help them see that this rest, this grace, is not based on good deeds but through submission to the Lord.
Our Muslim friends need to hear these wise words written so many years ago. They seek to settle the restlessness and uncertainty they feel through their actions or merit by following the Five Pillars of Islam: Fasting, Giving to the Poor, Pilgrimage/Hajj, Daily Prayers, and Reciting their Creed. But it is God’s gift for us to find our rest in Him. It is not based on who we are and what we do, but on him and what he has done for us. Our call as followers of Jesus is to speak the Word, live out the Word in front of them, and help them see that this rest, this grace, is not based on good deeds but through submission to the Lord.
Share and show what resting in God looks like
We know that Muslims follow the Five Pillars of Islam, trying to earn God’s favor. They do not understand that they just need to rest in him. They need to stop striving and start yielding; stop pursuing and start listening; stop trying to force God to accept them based on works and start receiving his gift of grace. Yet if I am being honest, I have to ask myself, “Would they see that in my life?” Would they see it in yours? Are we modeling what it means to find our rest in God? I have to confess that I don’t think they would always see it in me. Too often, I pray for God’s will to be done, but I work like it depends on me. Lord, give us grace to live out your truth for all to see and understand.
We have some Muslim friends who are gently pushing back against our gospel-sharing with them. They are making videos and exhorting their fellow Muslims to live better lives, to look out for others, and to have hope in this difficult world. I think it’s because they are feeling the pressure of Christlike lives lived out in front of them by Christians they know. It is making them feel uncomfortable, and they want to do more.
They have said on more than one occasion, “It is not enough to just, ‘let Jesus save you’, you need to earn your own salvation and way to heaven through good works.” May God give abundant grace to these dear friends and to all Muslims seeking to earn their salvation. May he give them eyes to see him for who he is, so that they may find their rest in him.
Would it be possible for you to invite a Muslim or Muslim family to join you and your family’s Christmas celebration this year? Maybe for an Advent lighting and reading or Christmas caroling? Perhaps they can help you make homemade Christmas treats to share with friends and family. It would be wonderful for many Christians this year to shine the light of Christ with a Muslim family or individual who has never celebrated Christmas before.
10/10 Prayer Initiative
10/10 Prayer Initiative
On the first Friday of every month, we have covenanted to join in prayer for 10% of the Muslim world to come to Christ in 10 years. This is a bold and challenging prayer that can only be answered by a bold and all-powerful God! Feel free to ask others to join in for these first Friday prayers, or if another day works better for you, that is fine, too!
Please also pray:
- That Jesus, the true Prince of Peace, whose birth we celebrate at Christmas, would reveal himself through dreams and visions to Muslims around the world.
- For those affected by conflict around the world that they may be comforted and find rest.
- That the good news of Jesus Christ would be shared over meals and get-togethers throughout this Christmas season.
- For Ryan Corbett to be released by the Taliban in Afghanistan. Pray for grace for his family as they struggle through the second year of his captivity.
Additional Posts
Choosing a Missions Organization: Why SEND International Stands Out “Why should I be a missionary through SEND International?” Jenna, a new missionary in Eastern Europe, shared with us what she appreciates about working with SEND. The highlights for her are: - Devotion to prayer - Diligence in communication - Commitment to development - Intentionality in accountability Prayer “Back in September of 2022, the Lord reconnected me with SEND after I had met them a year prior at the Moody Bible Institute. However, before he would sign me up for anything, my Missions Coach encouraged me to pray. He said something to the effect of, "I know that you've been praying on your own for a long time. But as the Church, we are not called to walk alone. So, you and I won't talk for about a month unless you have questions. I want you to go pray with 5 or 6 others from your church about where God is calling you." That October, more than 10 friends prayed with me and we saw God answer as He directed me to Romania. From February 2024 to November 2025, I had the pleasure of being a part of team meetings in Romania with my SEND colleagues. Our meetings were four hours long, two for prayer and two for business. This has been the minimum for our team. There are also prayer meetings with the local churches we partner with, among smaller groups within our team, of course prayer with many of you across the pond, including those at our US office. The organization was built, has been sustained, and continues to run on prayer. This is my favorite thing about SEND. Communication As I mentioned above, we have a two hour block for business / ministry details in each of our meetings. This provides consistency across our team which works alongside three different churches and in a variety of ministries. It also helps us to communicate about the need for change or growth, alongside what is working well. In addition, my team director also meets with each of us, allowing us to communicate needs, considerations, and prayer requests. I've also enjoyed getting to work with SEND workers outside of my immediate region . We receive emails with the minutes from the Europe leadership team, Friday communications from our international director, and information regarding projects that affect our work among the unreached. In December of 2024, our international director at the time wrote a note to my parents for the first Christmas that I was gone. If nothing else had convinced my mom yet, this did. He took the time to care for me, but also to care well for the parents that were sending me (What it meant to my dad and mom for him to do this well has been one of the greatest ways I've been supported.). I also have some pretty wonderful regional directors. These people have prayed alongside us (while also serving in their own countries of service), they have taken time to come visit and encourage our team, and they have also taken the time to encourage the people in our churches. Development SEND has provided much in the area of development and care (spiritually, physically, mentally, and emotionally). At our regional conference (every three years), there have been medical check ups available, counseling options, and time for connecting with others on the field with similar experience. At our conference last October, I connected with a missionary who served overseas for many years, and is now serving on the administrative side of SEND. She has met with me since then for mentorship and has also invested much of her time recently in preparing a retreat for the singles across Europe. Accountability Over the years I have read and heard amazing stories of how God has worked through missionaries. God has done great things and great things He is still doing! However, people who have committed their lives to the Lord in this way are not “super Christians”. We are still humans with the same struggle against flesh that others have . A major challenge is in being isolated -- living in areas with little to no presence of other believers to sharpen them can cause many difficulties. SEND has been a great resource in this area too. Through my team, I have an accountability partner that I meet with monthly. When my regional director came to visit, he and his wife spent a day with me and asked intentional questions about how I lead, handle conflict, and how I am growing in general as a Christian. In addition, my teammates share their wisdom with me on a regular basis. These things and more have assured me that SEND International is a highly valuable organization and I'm excited to partner with them in service to, for, and with our great God! Interested in being sent by SEND?
Learn about the spiritual harmony in Vietnam & how missionaries engage with college students. Join us in sharing the gospel!
Explore Georgia's spiritual heritage and the impact of SEND International's mission. Join us in fostering authentic relationships today!
