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Stories & Blog
A Sikh Walks Into a Gym...
CANADA — Jagdish’s bright red turban matched his bright red shorts and expensive red sneakers. He was taking too long at the lateral pull-down machine at the gym. And though he saw others were waiting, he didn’t seem to care.
So, Crossworld worker Charlie decided to start up a conversation with him between reps.
“Sat-sri akul,” Charlie said. That’s the official greeting Sikhs say to one another, which means, “The respected truth lasts forever.”
Jagdish stared at Charlie astonished, almost in disbelief.
“Sat-sri akul,” he replied.
Twenty minutes later, Jagdish had completely opened up about his personal life. He shared how his wife suffers from a chronic illness and how she can’t travel much. Even though he continues to travel for work, he doesn’t take long trips anymore because of his wife’s health.
Then Jagdish continued deeper. Yes, he is a Sikh, but he has many doubts about the sincerity of his religion. “Of course I have my own vices,” he admitted. “I know they’re wrong, but many of our holy people do the same things. They only pretend that they don’t. I’m fed up with hypocrisy.”
Charlie listened as Jagdish shared, then spoke up. “Jagdish, did you know that Prabhu [God] and Guru Yeshu [Jesus] have much to say about hypocrisy? Would you be willing to teach me about Sikhism so I can understand you better, and would you be willing to learn some of Jesus’ teachings?”
Jagdish considered for a moment, then said yes.
So, Crossworld worker Charlie decided to start up a conversation with him between reps.
“Sat-sri akul,” Charlie said. That’s the official greeting Sikhs say to one another, which means, “The respected truth lasts forever.”
Jagdish stared at Charlie astonished, almost in disbelief.
“Sat-sri akul,” he replied.
Twenty minutes later, Jagdish had completely opened up about his personal life. He shared how his wife suffers from a chronic illness and how she can’t travel much. Even though he continues to travel for work, he doesn’t take long trips anymore because of his wife’s health.
Then Jagdish continued deeper. Yes, he is a Sikh, but he has many doubts about the sincerity of his religion. “Of course I have my own vices,” he admitted. “I know they’re wrong, but many of our holy people do the same things. They only pretend that they don’t. I’m fed up with hypocrisy.”
Charlie listened as Jagdish shared, then spoke up. “Jagdish, did you know that Prabhu [God] and Guru Yeshu [Jesus] have much to say about hypocrisy? Would you be willing to teach me about Sikhism so I can understand you better, and would you be willing to learn some of Jesus’ teachings?”
Jagdish considered for a moment, then said yes.
Your part in this story...
Charlie asks you to pray for these requests.
- Pray for future meetings with Jagdish. Pray that his heart would be open to hearing the gospel and that God would give me favor with him.
- Pray for wisdom for my wife and me as we launch the first cross-cultural training group with Experience Toronto.
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