Friends Who Worshiped in
Baghdad
By Michael K. Farrar, O.D.
© October 4, 2005
Sergeant Billy Mason was on his way to the hospital to
visit his friend Kazem. He had heard that his friend had been hurt in a bomb
blast and was anxious to see how he was. He had met Kazem on the streets of
Baghdad while patrolling with his unit. Kazem was about twenty years old and a
very nice guy. Over the last few months Billy had struck up a friendship with
him which, had led to a discussion of their respective religions. Kazem was
very interested in Christianity and Billy was only too happy to share his faith
in Christ. Over time as their friendship grew Kazem’s knowledge of the God of
the Bible convicted him to accept Christ as his Savior. Billy continued meeting
with him when he could, gave him a Bible and some worship CDs to listen to.
Kazem told Billy that he had to be careful when and where he read his Bible.
His entire family was Muslim and would take great offense if they knew he had
converted to Christianity. The worship CDs were another thing though. Kazem
could easily use headphones and enjoy the praise music to his hearts content.
Billy arrived at the hospital and asked where Kazem’s
room was. They said Kazem was recovering well and could be visited. Billy was afraid
to ask the extent of his wounds. Billy had seen a lot of gruesome stuff while
on his tour of duty. Iraq was a dirty, dusty and dangerous place to be right
now. He had seen several members of his unit killed in the line of duty, some
by snipers, others by bombs. War was never pretty.
Billy found Kazem’s room and peeked in. He could see
Kazem looking out the dirty window. He gazed down Kazem’s body and noticed that
both arms were stubs covered in white gauze and bandages. Billy winced. Bum
luck to lose both arms.
“How ya doin’ Kazem.” Billy called out.
“Fine I guess, Billy.” Replied Kazem, recognizing Billy’s voice but not turning his stare from
the window.
“What happened?” Asked Billy as he went to Kazem’s
bedside.
“I was just going to market to get some bread. There was
a line of men in front of the recruitment station. Just as I passed by the line
a car pulled up and then everything went black. I guess I was lucky. A piece of
the exploding car cut off both my arms and I have some internal injuries they
are watching but other than that I just got a bunch of cuts from flying
debris.”
“Well you’re alive Kazem. God spared your life.”
“I know, but…” Tears ran down Kazem’s cheeks.
“But what.”
“It’s just I’ve been really enjoying learning more about
God and His Son Jesus. I know God is in my heart and all but I’ve got this
favorite song on one of those CDs you gave me and I can’t listen to it
anymore.”
“Why’s that Kazem?”
“Well part of it has these words that talking about
raising hands in praise of Jesus and I can’t do that anymore.” Kazem began
weeping.
Billy reached over and held Kazem’s hand.
“Hey guy. I know exactly how ya feel.”
“How can you Billy?”
“Know what my favorite song is?”
“What?”
“Stand up, Stand up for Jesus.”
“So?”
“Take a gander at what happened to me the same day you
got blasted.”
Kazem turns to look at Billy. Billy wheels back his
wheelchair to expose the stubs he now has instead of legs. Kazem stops crying
and a look of great sympathy envelopes his face.
“Billy, I didn’t know. What happened?”
“Apparently it was a coordinated attack. There were four
car bombs throughout the city on that day. You were at one and I was at
another. You lost your arms and I lost my legs. I won’t stand for Jesus physically,
but I’m standing up straight and tall in my heart. Whenever I listen to my song
I picture myself with my legs restored, facing my Savior singing at the top of
my lungs.”
“I never thought about it that way.”
“Kazem, God knows you don’t have arms, just like I don’t
have legs anymore. He wants our hearts, not our arms and legs. When anyone
stands for Jesus or raises their arms in praise to our Savior and really means
it, their arms and legs simply
represent where their heart is. God wants our hearts, minds and souls, not just
a physical gesture. We can shout and sing, we can stand and raise arms but if
our hearts aren’t in it, it’s meaningless.”
“Thanks Billy. Maybe I can still listen to that song of
mine. I really love Jesus, I really do.”
“I know you do Kazem. I know you do.”
“Hey why don’t we sing those songs right now. We’ll sing
yours first. Now close your eyes and sing to Jesus with all your heart. I know
I will.”
Nurses and doctors stopped in their tracks when they
heard the melodious blending of the singing voices of an American soldier and
the young Iraqi man singing. The Christian worship songs floated through the
corridors of the hospital in the middle of Baghdad.
God smiled.