Face to Face with Jesus {Review}

Habib shares her story of growing up Muslim, in a country that was 98% Muslim.  As a child, though the obvious majority, Muslims lived peacefully alongside Christians.  She speaks of understanding that there was a difference, but never feeling how great the divide was.  But as Habib grew, civil war broke out in her country and there are those who took advantage.  Not only was her family caught in the middle of the warring fractions, but also lost in the midst of those who fought for their own agenda. Through a series of events, Samaa Habib began searching out hope in the most unlikely place: Jesus Christ.

Despite beatings, risk of rape and death, possible starvation, and more, Habib and her family continued pursuing the Lord, continued pushing the boundaries of their culture and found that the miraculous exploding in their world.  Miracle after miracle after miracle... and the unthinkable happens.  A bombing targeted at destroying their church left Habib near death.  And what happened next is completely unimaginable.

Face to Face with Jesus is a quick read.  Habib's story is so compelling, so life changing, it's hard to put down.  I found myself questioning how she would survive such an incredible lifestyle, how she would survive civil war, and then her own family, and finally the bombing.  But her story is one of the Lord's faithfulness, time after time.  I also started to question why?  Why is this woman's life so marked by miracles and the miraculous?  Why?

I keep coming back to the fact that she was hungry.  So often in our lives we have a Plan A, B, C,... sometimes all the way down to Plan Z.  Habib didn't have that.  All she had was a simple faith and an unrelenting hunger.  She was hungry for all that the Lord had for her.  When was the last time I was hungry?  Hungry enough to risk it all?

Samaa Habib's testimony is one that's incredible.  There's no other word to describe it.  Her life has been one of pursuing the Lord with everything in her and seeing him show up for her every time.  Whether you need a challenge to live with risk, or you need the encouragement that your risk is worth it, Face to Face with Jesus will leave you hungry. Definitely worth the read.

*Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book for review.  All opinions are my own.