Palms sweating. Hearts racing. Minds reeling. We cautiously walked over to the table and sat down.
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A couple of days before we arrived back in Hyderabad, India, I asked the LORD to give me 23 things that required courage, things I would perhaps never do back in the States. I chose 23 things because I celebrated my 23rd birthday this year. I wanted to be taken out of my comfort zone; to walk deeper in my relationship with the LORD. I wanted to depend on Him more than I ever dreamt I could.
My teammate, Danielle and I were walking through the Indian supermarket on our day off to scout around for supplies we had run out of that month. I had been in and out of this store of couple of times, so I was surprised I hadn’t noticed a woman sitting at the entrance of the store. This woman was a tarot card reader. Heart pounding, I glance away and think, “No, Jesus. I am not talking to that woman. That is too scary.” I look at Danielle. Suddenly these words came rushing out of my mouth: “Do you want to go talk to that woman?” Her eyes get wide and she responds, “Yeah.” We pay for our things and pray together before we make our way over to her.
Danielle and I sit down in the chairs in front of the woman. She smiles warmly and begins shuffling the cards. I wave my hand in protest and say, “No, no, would we just be able to talk with you?” She looks taken aback and sets the cards to the side.
“What is your name?” I ask.
She replies, “Meeta.”
“Meeta; that’s a beautiful name. Meeta, how old are you?”
“I’m 42.” (Don’t worry mom and dad. You taught me well in respecting my elders, but in some Asian countries, it’s not rude to ask a woman her age.:))
I continue with, “Are you married? Do you have any children?”
“I have been married for 14 years, and I have a 12 year old son.”
Meeta asks us why we are here in India. I tell her the simple answer that we are traveling around to 11 countries in 11 months and we are in India this month. “We’ve been touring different villages around Andhra Pradesh and tomorrow we head to Nepal.”
In my head, Jesus gently coaxed, You aren’t a tourist, Lauren.
I shake my head, “Actually, we are going around to each country telling people about Jesus. Do you know Jesus?”
She nods and arches her eyebrows as she says, “Oh yes, I’ve read your book.”
Surprised, I say, “Really?! What did you think?”
“It is a nice book about morals and how to live a good life.”
Unfortunately, a lot of people see the Bible that way; a book about rules and laws, and they don’t see it for what it really is; a source of LIFE to shine into your heart and mind.
I try connecting with her, so I say, “Meeta, pretend your son had other moms and dads, and he loved them just as much if not, more than you. How would that make you feel? Would you be jealous?”
“No, because jealousy is bad and I believe in myself. There is equality within my body and everyone deserves equal love. I wouldn’t be upset if he loved other mothers as much as he loved me.”
I’m not sure if Meeta was being completely truthful with me in that moment or if that is truly what she believes. I told her Jesus loves her with His whole Being, but He is a jealous God; He wants all of her. He deserves all of her devotion and praise, and it can’t be leftover love.
That’s what Jesus expects of all of us–we must give Him all of us.
I asked Meeta if I could pray with her. I took her hand and thanked Jesus for the beautiful woman in front of me whom He created. I asked Him to capture her heart with His abounding love.
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Two months have gone by, and I still think of Meeta. I don’t know if she has given her life over to Jesus, but I know that He sent me to her table to plant a seed of love. I was so nervous to do something so crazy bold like that. But if we aren’t willing to be BOLD for Someone who so BOLDLY loves us and DIED for us, what is the point in living life?
I challenge you to do something bold for Jesus. Not just today, but everyday. If that means talking to that certain friend who doesn’t know Jesus or approaching a stranger who looks downtrodden. Don’t hesitate! Just do it. Ask the LORD for courage and strength. I did, and it got me a new friend.
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