Faithful to a Calling

The park hummed with conversation as people and picnic blankets were spread out everywhere. My friend and fellow worker Gabby let out a heavy sigh. “There’s not a spot for us.”

I shielded my eyes from the bright Middle Eastern sun and scanned the area a second time, hoping she was wrong.

I’d already heard that same disappointing sentiment once this week, and the news still stung. After a year of training and preparations, I was ready to change countries and move to the city I had felt God calling me to. Yet I remained on the wrong side of the border, unable to move forward.

The Frontiers team I was planning to join had been forced to leave and the city had become very unstable. There was no longer a place for me there.

Or a place for me in the park either, it seemed.

Despite our inadequacies, God worked through the story.

We were almost ready to leave when two young Muslim women waved us over and invited us to share their spot. Gabby and I joined them and were soon chatting the day away with Amala and her sister-in-law. Before going home, we exchanged phone numbers.

I wasn’t sure if Amala, a newlywed, would have time to respond to my messages, but soon a true friendship began to form. We talked often, and although Amala couldn’t leave her house without an escort from her husband’s family, she invited Gabby and me to visit.

As we drank tea in her living room, Amala tearfully confided about her loneliness and a recent miscarriage. We sat with her in her grief for several minutes. Then Gabby asked if she could tell her a story about Jesus.

Because of our not yet fluent Arabic, we had to take turns sharing the account of the woman healed after twelve years of bleeding. Despite our inadequacies, God worked through the story.

Amala dabbed at her eyes with a tissue. “Jesus wasn’t angry at the woman?”

I smiled. “Not at all. He saw her suffering and cared deeply about her. Just like He cares about you.”

Amala took comfort in the story and invited us back to tell her more about Jesus.

I will continue to offer the never-changing Good News of Jesus right where I am.

As I walked home, it struck me that I almost missed the opportunity to meet this dear woman. If I had moved across the border, I wouldn’t have been in the park or had the chance to encourage Amala in her grief, but I am so glad God orchestrated everything the way He did.

My calling is not merely to a location but to faithfully share the hope of Jesus Christ wherever He places me.

Amala continues to invite Gabby and me to visit and tell stories about Jesus. We even had the chance to share a Bible story with her husband and have met several in her large extended family.

I don’t know what the future holds, but no matter what doors or borders the Lord opens, I will continue to offer the never-changing Good News of Jesus right where I am.

Pray:

• Pray that Amala will continue to show interest in learning about Jesus and seek after Him.
• Ask God to grant wisdom and patience to field workers experiencing disappointment and difficult transitions.
• Pray for open doors into the least-reached regions, so that all may hear the Good News of the Gospel.