Always the Right Time

“Would you look at that crowd? It must be for the holiday.” I pointed beyond the windshield of the taxi to a well-dressed group of women and children standing outside a Russian Orthodox church.

My driver, Rustam, quickly glanced over before returning his eyes to the road. “What holiday?”

“When Jesus rose from the dead. Have you heard about that?”

He scratched along the edge of his skullcap. “I didn’t even know that was possible. Can you tell me more about Him?”

I smiled. Not having a car in this area meant I took a lot of taxis, and despite sitting in the passenger seat, I made it a practice to gently steer each conversation toward topics of faith. Rustam hadn’t been particularly friendly when I first got in, but suddenly he was asking for more.

He was so excited about what he’d heard that he’d shared it with close family and friends. He even asked for more.

Over the next twenty minutes I shared some stories from Jesus’ life along with a few passages of Scripture. When Rustam pulled up in front of my apartment, I asked if he’d like me to send him something he could read on his own.

“I’m not a very good reader.” He seemed disappointed, but I quickly offered an alternative.

“How about something you can listen to while driving?”

He eagerly agreed, and we exchanged phone numbers. That afternoon, I sent him an audio file of Matthew 5. The next day I sent chapter 6, then chapter 7.

A few days later, I followed up, asking what he thought. He was so excited about what he’d heard that he’d shared it with close family and friends. He even asked for more.

Over the next couple of months, we struggled to find time to meet. Rustam worked long hours to support his own family, as well as that of his younger brother with cancer. But I continued sending him passages from the Gospels.

It was easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the everyday and forget what really mattered. The eternal.

When we finally managed to sit down together, we had a great time eating lunch and getting to know each other. Rustam shared about a few issues he was dealing with, and I tried to encourage him from God’s Word. As we headed for the door of the café, I sent him a link to a video on the book of Genesis.

“Thank you. I can’t wait to watch it.” He paused at the threshold, blocking the way. “Do you think we could meet more often? Maybe weekly?” He shrugged. “I like talking to you. It’s different. It reminds me life is about more than…”

He didn’t seem to have the words, but I understood. It was easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the everyday and forget what really mattered. The eternal.

I shook his hand. “I’d be happy to, my friend.”

I showed my wife the message, and we both sat in stunned silence.

Once again though, life became busy. Several weeks passed before we finally scheduled another lunch. The day we were supposed to meet I texted to confirm, but Rustam didn’t reply.

I sent a second message but again received no response. I assumed his plans had changed and didn’t think anything of it. I figured I would hear from him soon.

The next day I received a text from Rustam’s phone number. It was sent by his daughter. She told me Rustam had died suddenly, and they’d buried him after the noon prayer that day.

I could hardly believe it. I showed my wife the message, and we both sat in stunned silence. Eventually, I arranged to visit Rustam’s family and offer my condolences.

When I met Rustam’s wife, she greeted me with a sad smile. “He told me a lot about you.” But I quickly sensed he hadn’t told her much about Jesus, the most important part of all our conversations.

Before I left, I prayed for her as well as the rest of the family, even Rustam’s younger brother who was sick in bed.

I’m more determined than ever to make the most of every interaction the Lord gives me.

I spent a lot of time in prayer after returning home, too, asking the Lord what steps I should take in relation to Rustam’s family. I’m still trying to make sense of everything that happened.

Rustam had been so open and eager to hear God’s Word, but to my knowledge he never made a decision to follow Jesus.

I often wonder if things would have turned out differently if I’d encouraged him to repent and follow Christ earlier. Only God knows.

What I do know is that I’m more determined than ever to make the most of every interaction the Lord gives me. Life is short, and it’s always a good time to share the Good News of Jesus.

Pray:

• Lift up Rustam’s family and ask God to use their grief to lead them to Christ.
• Pray for workers to wisely make use of every opportunity the Lord gives them to share the Gospel.
• Pray that Muslims seeking the truth about Jesus will not delay in making the decision to follow Him.