The other night, as a new team (currently with a group of 7, including Emily, Landry, Kelly, Haley, Gina and Daniel to finish out the race) we shared stories that have had a significant impact on us, but are not often shared in the highlight reel when answering questions.
I was reminded of an encounter in Lebanon.
First, let me set the scene. We partnered with the local church for the month and had some restrictions on what we could do. Due to safety concerns, we were not allowed to go further than up and down the street, unless we were with a local. The month consisted of a lot of intentional time as a mega team in the apartment and numerous events during the week with refugees and children in the building next to the apartment. We stayed within a 2 building radius for most of the month.
This particular day we had some leadership staying with us, and half of my team was doing music lessons or helping with the medical center. Eric and Jeremy challenged the remainder of my team to hit the streets and see what God wanted us to do. I remember thinking that we would probably just take a nice stroll down the one street and nothing would really occur, but I was keen to get out of the apartment and do something different. So we prayed together and asked the Lord to reveal to us a picture, word, or direction of how He wanted to use the time. The Lord gave the group different things, but He gave me a picture of a candy necklace. Unsure what that looked like, we all went on what you could consider a treasure hunt. As I prepared to leave the apartment I had to check my attitude and ask the Lord to realign my heart and mind to what He wanted to do.
We walked out the front door and literally within 10 meters, I see a rather glamorous woman wearing a big gold necklace standing outside a shop. I started questioning whether this woman was someone the Lord wanted me to stop for and I was tempted to just walk by. After moving a few meters past this woman, I get a check in my spirit and a reminder to act in faith and stop. I turn and approach the woman and awkwardly begin to make small talk. I quickly find out that she speaks fluent English (and a few other languages as well) and is the owner of the business we are standing in front of. She invites Niki, Hannah, and I inside to have tea and further conversation. We meet her assistant and quickly learn that both ladies are Muslim. We are introduced to others that also come into the business over the next hour. As we engage in further conversation, this successful business woman begins openly sharing about her family, past relationships, religious views, travel, work, and the struggles that come with running a rather contentious business in this part of the world. She shared about struggles with men in her life and how if she doesn’t fall pregnant to her current husband that he will divorce her and that she has already had 2 miscarriages. She is a resilient woman that has experienced a lot of pain in her life and has a deep need for Jesus. We sought to encourage her and also shared about ourselves, part of our trip, family, faith, and that we are volunteering with the church across the road.
I am always amazed at the conversations that can occur with a simple hello to a stranger. Middle Eastern culture is so welcoming and after spending some time in this culture it became the norm to engage with strangers everyday. However, God uses culture and everyday interactions as an opportunity for divine encounters with Jesus. At the end of our conversation with these two ladies, we prayed over them a blessing and for specific things shared during our time and were invited back for a traditional breakfast a few days later.
These women sit directly across the road from the church and see all of the comings and goings. They witness everyday the people that are welcomed into the buildings and the many events that we held during our time there. She gets a front row seat to the movement of God.
I may never know exactly what impact that encounter had on those women, but am trusting the Lord that they had a taste of Jesus and I know the Lord continues to pursue them.
This is just one of many encounters on the Race that have cemented two really important things for me.
I hear from the Lord. He is constantly speaking to me and I have learned to attune my ears to listen to Him. This has been a journey and will continue to be for the rest of my life. This is so exciting because it’s a constant invitation into deeper intimacy with Him, as we communicate with one another. When I am willing, the spirit is moving and prompting me everyday to engage in Kingdom work.
Opportunities are right in front of us. When I am obedient to the Lord’s promptings, it changes others and also encourages me in my faith. There is always a challenge for me to step out in faith and have an expectancy that God is using me as His vessel and every encounter for His glory. I am called to be salt and light on the earth. I want every encounter with others to give them a taste of Jesus so that they are thirsty for more of Him.
I’m excited for more divine encounters that God has in store and the stories that will have an impact on the Kingdom.
What opportunities are in front of you today? Are you willing to step out in faith and see God move?
