I asked her name. It was so unique. I asked her how to spell it and what it means. She said, “My name means “gift!” I said, “Of course it does! You are a gift from God!” She smiled and said, “I am a believer too.” She went on her way—but only for a moment.
I did my best to catch up on my growing number of emails. She came back and initiated further conversation. I felt like it was a God moment. I knew I needed to step away from my computer and lean into a conversation with her.
She asked my name and wanted to learn more about me. Then she said, “There is a radiance about you.”
I looked at her and said, “It’s only Jesus. I promise you!” The door was open, so I shared more about how Jesus radically changed my life when I surrendered to Him.
Knowing she told me she, too, was a believer, I asked, “So tell me about how Christ changed your life?” She looked at me and explained she believes in God, but she is Muslim because her family is. She asked me if I knew much about Islam and started to openly explain to me what it is like being a Muslim woman. There was despair in her voice as she described the oppression she faces.
I shared with her how precious she is to God and how He sees her. I explained what Christ did for me, a sinner, what He did for her, and what He did for the world! I told her He died and rose again, that we may have the fullness of life in Him and through Him. I cried as I shared my personal story with her and explained how desperately the Almighty God, the One True God, wants to have a relationship with her too. I shared the Gospel with her and asked if she wanted to receive Christ as her Savior. She said, “Thanks for sharing your story. I have to keep preparing for this evening.” She walked away.
The enemy wanted me to feel defeated. Instead, I knew I was obedient to what the Father asked. I had paused, called her by name, spoken with her, listened to her, shared my story, and pointed her to Jesus. I sat back down, prayed, and carried on responding to emails. Again, she came back to my table.
She asked, “So… if someone wanted to take baby steps in becoming a Christian, what would that look like?” I smiled, closed my laptop, and stood up again. I simply explained the first step is having faith that God sent His Son Jesus on this earth to die for our sins and to be resurrected that we may have life with Him and be reconciled with God. I shared with her: have faith, believe, and surrender your life to Jesus—that’s your first, baby step! I asked again, “Would you like to pray and do that right now?” She said, “No. I just want to know how.”
I asked her if she had a Bible. “No,” she replied, “I have seen them at hotels like this, but I don’t have one and have never read one.”
I told her, “I am going to buy you a Bible this evening if you promise me you will read it!”
She said, “Wait, let me pay you to buy it for me.” I said, “Your name means “gift.” I am giving you a gift—the Word of God!” I insisted. She thanked me profusely and went on her way, returning to her work.
I quickly called my husband and asked him to stop and purchase a Bible. He was excited to help. We FaceTimed together and picked out the perfect study Bible. I filled the first couple of pages with a note, a prayer, suggested Scriptures and chapters to read, and wrote out a prayer of salvation. I went back down to the still empty lounge and gifted her with a leather Bible. She ripped off her food gloves, hugged me, and held the Bible in her bare hands. She said, “It’s beautiful!” I knew she didn’t even know how to find verses so, I walked her through the process. She was beyond thankful and even texted me “Thank you” later that night. I walked away thinking, that moment was a gift!
1 Peter 3:15 says, “…But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.” (ESV)
We are Ambassadors for Christ. At the drop of a hat, at a meeting, at any time of day, or in any place or city, are you prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks for a reason for the hope that is in you? Are you prepared to be gentle and respectful and not defensive as you share what Christ has done for you? Walk through the fear, if there is any, and share your God-Story. Give others the gift and the hope found in Christ Jesus! He will lead you in the conversation. Who will be the recipient of your next gift? Please, give them Jesus!
How can you make Monumental Moments and live to multiply His movement today?
