AP

The middle-aged tailor stood at his bench-top, measuring out a suit when my husband and I entered. Like most tailors in Pakistan, he worked hard for a living and spent many quiet hours cutting, stitching, and ironing. He looked up, surprised that a foreign man would enter his humble workplace or want local dress. Very few Caucasians lived in Quetta, this provincial capital of Baluchistan, with its growing population of Taliban. Ian handed him some cloth and in fluent Urdu said, “I’d like two standard shalwar-qamizes, but with two extra pockets.” The tailor jotted down Ian’s measurements. Then, pausing, with upheld pen, he said, “Why are you Westerners not content? You have everything: wealth, education, health, good housing, comfort, and prestige. We see your lavish lifestyles on television, but you have the highest suicide rates in the world. In Pakistan we keep striving for these things, but when we get them, will we also not be satisfied?” 

We complimented him on such insight and highlighting a fundamental flaw in human thinking. God asked a similar question of His people, followed by instructions for an abundant life. 

“Why spend money on what is not bread,
    and your wages on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
    and you will delight in the richest of fare.
Give ear and come to me;
    listen, that you may live.”

(Isaiah 55:2,3)

As one beggar telling another where to find bread, we shared the treasure of finding forgiveness and satisfaction through Jesus. We felt God sent us to a man searching for reality to hear Jesus’ clear claim and promise: 

“I am the bread of life. 

Whoever comes to me will never go hungry,

and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”

(John 6:35)

– Dorcas Denness