Directions: Turning the Hearts of the Fathers to the Children, Originally released 6/16/2009
Enjoy this edition of Directions featuring the ministry of Ghana. You can learn more about AFCI's ministry in this country by visiting the AFCI Ghana Nation Page.
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Mohammed, a member of the AFCI Ghana team working in Tamale (north Ghana), was raised as a Muslim, the oldest of 15 children. He became a teacher and discovered the Truth about Jesus while reading books from a friend's library. He quickly realized that Jesus was the answer to life that he had been searching for. When Mohammed became a Christian, his father swore an oath that Mohammed was no longer his son and was no longer welcome in his father's house.
Mohammed attended a Bible school south of Tamale for 3 years. But as he studied, he came to the conclusion that he could not authentically teach others about his Heavenly Father's love if he and his earthly father did not have a good relationship. A friend from church approached Mohammed's father to tell him of his son's desire for reconciliation. The father felt he had to make a goat sacrifice to cancel his oath so he could be reconciled to his son. When they met together, Mohammed and his father were reconciled. In God's time, Mohammed and a man who has been like a spiritual father to him led his physical father to the Lord.
REFLECTION
to judgment! . . . So if you are standing before the altar
in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone
has something against you, leave your sacrifice there
beside the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person.
Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.
Matthew 5:22a, 23-24 (NLT)
It is so easy to be angry with someone who disappoints our expectations of them, or who disturbs our sense of what is right by the choices they make. Parents long to see their children do what is best in their judgment; children want the unconditional approval of their parents. When these are missing, words spoken in hurt, anger, and disappointment can do lasting damage to the family, as well as to our witness in Christ. Reconciliation requires both parties to see their part in the break, to repent and confess, and to work to rebuild trust in the relationship. Is there any person you need to pray for an opportunity to be reconciled with?