He Really is On the Move

“So we’re the first Christians that you have met in person?”

“That’s right,” our new friend replied.

“And how long has it been since you believed in Jesus?” I asked.

“Since January… I had been studying the Bible and listening to theology and apologetics for six hours every day. Before that I had been searching for the truth for years. My family is Muslim, but I became an atheist, then a Buddhist. But none of them had answers for suffering, nor for my desire to be loved by God.”

We sipped our coffees and chai in the mall food court and marveled at what this young man was telling us in his near-fluent English. He continued.

“But now I know it’s not a weakness to desire to be loved by God, as all my friends say it is. It is the Holy Spirit who was working in me.”

“You know,” we told him, “there are several small churches of believers in this city from your people group. We’re so glad you were able to find us.”

“I thought I was alone,” he said shaking his head. “I would really like to meet other believers like me, from a Muslim background. If I don’t come to your meeting tomorrow, I will definitely be there next week.”

I recalled my recent desperate prayer. Please show us that you are indeed working here. It feels like strife and failure everywhere we turn. Where is the power of the truth?

Then all of the sudden, today I am introduced to a new believer brought to faith completely in isolation, through the witness of YouTube apologetics channels and a few good books like Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus. None of us were involved whatsoever. And yet now we get to introduce him to the body and bride of Christ, the local church.

Yes, I know in my head that the Spirit must be working here in countless ways we cannot see. But oh what it does for the heart when this secret work is revealed. He really is here. He really is on the move. It really isn’t dependent on us.

It really isn’t dependent on us. What a truth to rest in.

And I have other sheep that are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. John 10:16

Photo by Azamat E on Unsplash