Today was Qurbani Eid, one of the most celebrated holidays in the muslim calendar. Muslims from all over sacrifice an animal to Allah, if they are able to afford it. I had little knowledge of this holiday leading up to today. I knew there would be many sacrifices of cows and goats "in the name of Allah."
A couple days ago many people started to purchase their cows, goats and other animals that they would be sacrificing. Men walked down the streets pulling their animals on a long, jute rope. They would keep their animals on the side of the street tied up to poles or even in apartment garages. I started noticing that it was looking like a competition. Men walked proudly as they pulled their cow along the side of the road, wanting everyone to see how great their sacrifice to Allah would be. People dropped big bucks for this animal as well, many spent well over $1000. To me it was definitely a contest, they had such pride in this animal that was going to be the atonement for their sins. They wanted everyone to see it.
But I started to think of my own life, and how I can act just as prideful. How often I just make a big list of things that I've done and drag it around for the world to see. "Look at me, I am serving overseas for Christ", "I am teaching slum children english and bible stories," "I visit orphans weekly and share the gospel." When I build up my list of things I am doing or have done, it is no different than pulling a cow to show the whole world.
I see how they love this animal, and how much "happiness" it gives them. They want to show everyone their purchase. Do I do that with my savior? Do I make much of Him and who He is? Do I shout His name to the ends of the earth, wanting everyone I encounter to hear of His goodness? How can people that are so blinded find such happiness from an animal, yet I am a child of the one true God and I don't even show Him off like this?
Today was definitely a huge reality check. I was reminded that the whole reason I am even here is to glorify His name, not my own. I am here to make much of Him, not to create a list of "things I'm doing for Jesus."
My prayer is that we as believers would live our lives to make much of Him, and not hesitate to show off His goodness to the world. I pray it does not take you coming to the other side of the world to realize this like it did me. God is deserving of all worship and all praise, as it is written in 1 Corinthians 1:31- "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord."
A couple days ago many people started to purchase their cows, goats and other animals that they would be sacrificing. Men walked down the streets pulling their animals on a long, jute rope. They would keep their animals on the side of the street tied up to poles or even in apartment garages. I started noticing that it was looking like a competition. Men walked proudly as they pulled their cow along the side of the road, wanting everyone to see how great their sacrifice to Allah would be. People dropped big bucks for this animal as well, many spent well over $1000. To me it was definitely a contest, they had such pride in this animal that was going to be the atonement for their sins. They wanted everyone to see it.
But I started to think of my own life, and how I can act just as prideful. How often I just make a big list of things that I've done and drag it around for the world to see. "Look at me, I am serving overseas for Christ", "I am teaching slum children english and bible stories," "I visit orphans weekly and share the gospel." When I build up my list of things I am doing or have done, it is no different than pulling a cow to show the whole world.
I see how they love this animal, and how much "happiness" it gives them. They want to show everyone their purchase. Do I do that with my savior? Do I make much of Him and who He is? Do I shout His name to the ends of the earth, wanting everyone I encounter to hear of His goodness? How can people that are so blinded find such happiness from an animal, yet I am a child of the one true God and I don't even show Him off like this?
Today was definitely a huge reality check. I was reminded that the whole reason I am even here is to glorify His name, not my own. I am here to make much of Him, not to create a list of "things I'm doing for Jesus."
My prayer is that we as believers would live our lives to make much of Him, and not hesitate to show off His goodness to the world. I pray it does not take you coming to the other side of the world to realize this like it did me. God is deserving of all worship and all praise, as it is written in 1 Corinthians 1:31- "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord."
