HEART-TO-HEART WITH A BARBER

BY ROLAND CLARKE

Seeing that I needed a haircut, my son referred me to a barber named Kal.

I had a lively conversation with Kal covering many topics, including how he came to Canada from Lebanon four years ago and how badly the lockdown had impacted business. I was curious to know if ‘Kal’ was an abbreviation, to which he replied, “Yes, it’s short for Khalid.”

Spontaneously, I said, “I love your name. Someone told me it means ‘eternal’ which calls to mind a wise saying of Solomon, “God has planted eternity in the human heart.”

Reaching into my pocket I pulled out a piece of paper with Ecclesiastes 3:11 written on it: He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.

I’d earlier shared with Khalid a personal experience about the way God had answered prayers. My immuno-compromised relative contracted Covid-19 and almost had to be hospitalised because of severe dehydration. Kal agreed wholeheartedly with the idea of answered prayer, acknowledging that he too believed in God. Then he added, “Unfortunately no one lives forever. We all have to die some day.”

A few days later, I returned to Khalid and told him who composed the wise saying about eternity. He was curious to learn it was Solomon, a man endowed by Allah with exceptional wisdom.

Fortunately, hair keeps growing, so I plan to continue our conversation the next time I visit him.

I’ve also left him a note, some of which reads: Peace be with you Khalid, My wife liked the haircut! Of course, I will be happy to recommend you to various friends. Did you enjoy the wise saying of Solomon from Ecclesiastes 3:11? Interestingly, the Bible and the Qur’an acknowledge that God gave Solomon exceptional wisdom!

A couple of other sayings by Solomon from Proverbs 4:16; 11:28 read as follows: “The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day. ... In the way of righteousness there is life; along that path is immortality.” I trust you enjoy meditating on these proverbs :)

God willing, Kal will also one day come to know Jesus, but this encounter calls to mind Paul’s advice to the church at Colosse, “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity [to] let your conversation be seasoned with salt.”

Clearly, the apostle believed God would open doors, not only in his life but also in each of our lives, as we rub shoulders with neighbours in the daily routines of life. Therefore, as disciples of Jesus and called to be his witnesses, let us all be more prayerful and alert to openings to share a reason for our hope. Bear in mind, this heartfelt longing for eternity as encapsulated in Ecclesiastes 3:11 (cf. 7:1-4) pertains not only to Muslims like Khalid; it resonates with everyone.

People across the world have a deep longing for eternity. That is why I usually carry Ecclesiastes 3:11 in my pocket and offer it to people I meet, even strangers.

Often I ask a question, “Do you like solving a good riddle? Followed by, “Here’s a brainteaser I think you’ll enjoy.” In my experience, 99 per cent of people accept it.

PLEASE PRAY

• For Khalid and others of his community to come to a saving faith in Jesus Christ.

• For our workers to have a spirit of boldness as they seek to share the gospel with those who do not know who Jesus is.

• For more doors to be opened in surprising ways, so that gospel conversations can be part of everyday life.

by riza licensed with CC BY 2.0.