It was a short flight and I found myself seated next to a lovely woman traveling to a Shamanic Retreat where she would teach a workshop on shamanism.
I silently prayed, “Oh Lord, I believe You arranged for me to sit next to her. But I really wish You hadn’t. I don’t feel like sharing Jesus with her. I don’t think she’d be open. Besides I’m getting sleepy.” I dosed off briefly and then forced myself to wake up because I knew God had put her next to me for a reason.
“So tell me about shamanism! I’ve never met a shaman!”
She explained that there are many paths to truth, that shamanism is a way of life and a means to connect with nature and all of creation. I learned shamanism is very spiritual, but without a belief in a personal god. She said the shamanic culture descended from both northern Asia and from Native American people. Personal mystical experience forms the basis of the shaman’s spiritual knowledge such as healing, protecting through magic, many ceremonies and offering spiritual guidance. Shamanism was clearly the focus of her life.
I noticed she failed to mention that shamanism involves a practitioner reaching altered states of consciousness to interact with a spirit world and then channeling these transcendental energies into this world.
After listening at length, I explained that I too am spiritual. In fact, I’d just left a Global Media Outreach conference. I explained that people worldwide, even in the most remote jungles can now learn about the God of the Bible on their mobile phones. Yes, mobile phones! They may not have electricity, but they have cell phones!
I explained that tribal bush people are delivered from their fears of a witch doctor’s curse. Others are delivered from their fears of evil spirits whom they believe come out after dark, forcing them to stay indoors for safety. When these people begin to trust Jesus, their fears disappear and they are filled with joy and peace. She listened with interest. I shared a gospel tract with her entitled, Would You Like to Know God Personally? She was reading it when we landed.
Thank You, Lord, for waking me up to talk to that precious woman. I’m trusting that she will read the entire tract. Cause her to think about what she learned about Jesus. Save her in Jesus’ name, Amen.
- Learn more about Global Media Outreach: www.godlife.com or https://www.godlife.com/en/look-to-jesus
- Watch in real-time, people hearing the gospel message: http://greatcommission2020.com/map
- The gospel booklet I shared with her: https://www.cru.org/how-to-know-god/would-you-like-to-know-god-personally.html
- We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. 2 Corinthians 5:20a NIV
- SONG: MY FRIEND – Words by D. J. Higgins; Music by Kathleen
[This life is temporary. This life is short. When this life is over, our bodies will die and become empty shells, but our souls will continue to live forever. Where will the “real you” live? Will you live for all eternity separated from God? Or will you spend eternity in the presence of God in heaven? Learn more so you can make your most important decision: http://www.godlife.com/gospel/ and http://www.godlife.com/en/about-christianity
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