I get really excited when God turns an ordinary day off
of ministry into an incredible experience…
Today was our day off.
We decided to travel nearby to see some of our squad and be in the city for the day! It is Chinese New Year here which means people are everywhere.
We started our day by taking two buses and a ferry ride. It literally felt like a sauna outside. We were packed in between tons of people the whole trip to there. We arrived at our destination sweaty and tired. Not my idea of a day off so far.
After saying some hello’s to squad mates, we decided to head out and find some lunch and look for somewhere to get wifi and coffee. We ended up getting lost. Walking around in the heat was frustrating and we were all getting a little irritable. We finally found some coffee, but we were all not satisfied and decided to not stay long.
I have had it on my heart the past few months to be on the search for a new Bible. I brought The Message Bible with me on the race. I love it, and have had some of my greatest moments with the Lord deep in the pages of this Bible. It has guided me through the transition from searching to hearing His voice.
Recently, I have heard the Lord telling me to meditate on His word and dwell on His scripture. This has never been something I have desired for some reason.
To KNOW His word.
This desire has grown more and more each month being on the race. I know that the only way I will be able to stay strong after the race and continue the growth that I am experiencing here is if I have my heart completely saturated in His Word. To know and be able to fight the temptation and hardships that will come after returning back to the United States with His Truth.
Of course, God would lay it on my heart to get one while in Malaysia…a Muslim Country where it is extremely hard to find a Bible. And even if I were to find one, I would have to go to a Baptist bookstore which would not be open because of the holiday.
I truly felt that today was the day I was suppose to find a Bible even though it was the Chinese New Year where most stores are closed. I decided to search for it, even though I knew there was a big probability I wouldn’t find one.
A few of my teammates and I decided to take a taxi to a mall we figured would be open. Getting to the mall, I was saddened by all of the cute clothing stores…Oh how I miss wearing cute and different clothes than the same few outfits I have here. Oh how I miss feeling all dolled up and girly. I kept hearing God whisper to me, “There is a time for everything and now is a time of less of you and more of me.” I resisted the temptation to buy something new for myself and went to the bookstore we had spotted on the way in.
We are rarely EVER alone on the race, but I decided to go in while the other girls did some window shopping. I was so excited and trusted the Lord would guide me and provide one. I started to lose hope when I couldn’t find a Christianity section…right before I gave up looking, I saw a tiny little section labeled “Religion”! I walked over to it, trying to be discrete since Christians aren’t really allowed to practice their faith publicly here.
I found six Bibles….literally. I was so pumped that there was even one! But soon realized I wasn’t going to find that NLT or ESV Study Bible my heart was set on for my next Bible!
Three were children’s Bibles (I can’t lie the one covered in glitter caught my eye haha). Then there was a Bible in the shape of a cube which seemed appealing at first but it was awkward and heavy (you think about how things will pack when you travel as much as we do). There was a Love Language Bible that quoted “Spend each day growing closer as a couple.” Ha, I knew this one wasn’t for me since I have committed to another five months of singleness. Then I saw it, a very plain black NKJV Bible calling my name. I have been trying to save any personal money that I have to spend, and this Bible happened to be extremely cheap. I felt the Lord telling me to lay down my pride about wanting a “certain” Bible, and accept the gift He had right before me.
His Word…is His Word. And that alone is enough.
It hit me hard thinking that so many people can’t even get a Bible or have the option to choose which version, color, or size they want. I felt convicted of my own selfishness and grabbed it off the shelf. I felt such joy walking away knowing that soon I would be able to meditate on each scripture instead of the Message Bible which is a more paraphrased version.
I went and bought a few highlighters and headed for the checkout. I had smiled at a Malay girl while trying to decide which one to get. As I walked over to the counter, I smiled at her again. She was so beautiful to me and had some sort of glow about her.
As the cashier was ringing up my new Bible. She came over to help him. I was a little nervous of his reaction to me purchasing a Bible, but tried to smile and make small talk anyways. My friends had just showed up and I began talking to them about our love for moleskin journals. The beautiful girl promptly asked if I was from Texas! I was so surprised by her English and told her that I was! I never though of myself as having a thick accent, but she must have caught me saying “y’all” or something!
We began talking. I had noticed her hijab (the head covering that Muslims wear) so I was very careful with what I said to respect her. I told her that we were here for cultural studies and teaching English. She kept asking intentional questions and wanting to hear more about my life. Out of no where she said, “It sounds like you are on the World Race!” I was so excited and squealed, “I AM!!” From there, she was able to tell me of her faith and how she had accepted the Lord three years ago. She talked of how it wasn’t good for her to be here but the Lord is keeping her safe. She was able to share with me about the ministry she works with and the blessings that the Lord has poured over her life! It was such an incredibly God-ordained moment. We exchanged numbers, names, and emails in hope of meeting up again. If not, I tell this story to share what an incredibly precise and BIG God we serve.
He put the urge in my spirit to go to THAT bookstore at THAT time on THIS day! She happened to be working and had such an open, earnest, and eager heart. I left that store feeling more encouraged and excited than I have in a very long time. It was one of those divine appointments that you just KNOW you were suppose to encounter. I was able to encourage her in her faith and love on her even if it was just investing in her life for a few very short minutes!
So before you think you aren’t making a difference wherever you are right now in your life…reach out to someone. Say a simple hello to a stranger, compliment them, or ask them something about themselves. When we begin to listen to His voice and move when He tells us to…we realize that there is so much more to life than what is going on in our little world.
What you say might be JUST what they needed. It might make there day….
and THAT is making a difference. It's just that simple.
Hear His voice. Do what He says. See miracles happen.
