Overemphasis on ecstatic emotion robs us ...

Despite my grey hair, I enjoy spending time with youth. I’ve spend time with youth, as a pastor, ever since I’ve been a youth myself. Churches I’ve led have sent many youth off to retreats – Spring Forth, Encounter, Blizzard and others. We’ve supported youth who chose to volunteer at Camp; we’ve commissioned youth on mission trips. And we will continue to do so! Often, when youth return from one of these things, we want to hear about it; and we do, sometimes publicly.  I’ve often heard something that left me unsettled. I’ve heard about ecstatic feelings about as much as I’ve heard about the content of what they did. I’ve been looking to hear about a deepening surrender to Christ, and a fresh holiness, and an abiding commitment to work to see His Kingdom come. Sometimes, I hear those things too.

I recently went on a mission trip myself; and while flying watched a video the airline offered entitled “The Seven Wonders of the Muslim World”. It was certainly interesting and informative, and I recommend that anyone attempting to understand Islam would benefit from viewing it. But as I watched it, I was struck by something.

The video follows several young people who make pilgrimage to Mecca. I was very struck by the manner in which they related their experience. Not their content, but their manner and conclusions. To me, listening to their enthusiasm and their personal conclusions, it was as if I was listening to youth tell about their experiences at a Christian retreat. The similarities were haunting.

I want to say right away, that I respect my Muslim friends, and that they are persuaded that Islam is God’s will for them. In good conscience I am persuaded differently, that the emulation and adoration of Christ is God’s will for myself.

Colossians 2:2-3 state “the mystery of God, namely, Christ, ³in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” NIV.

No religious system contains all that Christ is, all that He offers, all that He expects. Not Islam, not Christianity, none. He is far more than we can comprehend or capture. I am persuaded that the Bible most accurately portrays Christ as He wants to be portrayed; to claim otherwise I’d not have the respect of my Muslim friends; they know I am a Christian.

When I hear Muslim youth, and Christian youth, sounding alike in their “experience summaries” I feel that they have missed something more.  

What I’m saying is this: sometimes we mistake the ecstasy for the encounter. We settle for the experience rather than the relationship. Yes, it is wonderful and marvellous to approach the divine; but the feelings betray the “self” on the throne of our life, rather than Jesus Christ.