God Said, “Go!”
Today I’m sharing a short story that happened last week to my friend.
God Said, “Go!”
As Abede grabbed his keys to head out the door, he seemed to hear a voice say, “Pick up your copy of Steps to Christ and take it along.”
He argued with himself, doubting what he’d heard, and ignored the impression.
Again, only more forcefully, he heard, “Go, grab a Steps to Christ. You’re going to need it today.”
He then argued with the voice, saying, “Lord, I never hand out books. I’m not the witnessing with books type of guy!” But this time he did go back and stick the small book into his back pocket.
Arriving at the store, he left the book on the seat of the car, then closed the door.
That now-familiar voice said, “You need to take that book with you into the store.”
AdA groan escaped Abede as he realized how futile it was to argue more. He reached for the book, and slipped it back into his pocket.
But, “Take it out and hold the book in your hand. You are going to hand it to someone inside the store.”
So much for the subtle drop it and mosey on approach.
Still cringing from the thought of actually handing a stranger a book out of the blue, Abede slid the book onto the counter at the service desk while he waited to complete some business. “Someone will find this and pick it up, and they will appreciate me leaving it here,” he reasoned to himself.
But, no.
That voice again.
“Keep it in your hand.”
“Ugh. OK, Lord, but I don’t like this. It’s not how I operate.”
As Abede stood, foolishly holding the book at the counter, the clerk met his eyes, and surprisingly, began to weep. Abede simply stared at the stranger as she broke down and cried like a baby.
“Um–is something wrong? Is this return coming out of your own pocket? Are you going to get into trouble? I’m not trying to cause any problems here,” he stammered.
“What? Oh, no! Nothing like that. I’ve been here trying to hold myself together. Then I saw you. I just couldn’t do it anymore! My father died this week and I have never felt so hopeless. My mother also died recently, and now it’s just me; I have no other family. I didn’t know how I would make it through this awful day. Then there you were! Oh–I don’t know why I’m even telling you all of this! You must think I’m a wreck! I guess I am a basket case!” And she stood there, weeping, her eyes looking up at him painfully like a desperate infant and not like her actual weathered years.
In the presence of her pain, Abede found himself offering the only balm that could heal such a broken soul. “Would you like me to pray with you?”
Before his eyes, Abede witnessed the woman go from defeated to hopeful, then excited.
“Oh, yes!” The woman practically leaped over the counter to stand next to Abede, expecting to pray right there at the customer service desk.
“Um…where? Here?” Abede squeaked out, overcome with embarrassment over the invasion of his personal space. Clearly, here was where she intended to let him pray.
“Ok, Lord,” he breathed inwardly. “I have a lot to learn.”
Abede asked God to comfort and guide the woman, and then eased back a bit to allow for more comfortable interaction, fully aware of the onlookers gawking at the touching scene.
Peace washed over Abede, and what seemed like over the woman too, for when the prayer ended, the look on her face was much more serene.
The embarrassed missionary awkwardly realized his almost-missed opportunity as he glanced down at the book he still held in his hand. Humbled, he began to understand the behind-the-scenes drama unfolding before his eyes.
“I believe God knew you needed this book this very day. I fought it, over and over, but God knew the whole time it was you who needed this.” And he handed the simple book out toward the lady, who eagerly snatched it up like a desperate man grabbing up the last lottery ticket.
She clutched the book close as if her life depended on it. And, then again, maybe it did.
He turned to leave, but the thankful woman threw herself into Abede, crashing against his chest as she wrapped her arms around him in a full-on bear hug!
“You don’t know how I needed you to come! Thank you so much,” she gushed. “I can see now that God cares for me, and that it’s going to be alright.”
“Wow, God,” thought Abede. “You knew it all along. It was never about my comfort, was it? What if I had not listened? Teach my ears to hear you more and more. Thank you for not giving up. Thank you for using someone ordinary like me.”
💕
Are you wondering what book Abede offered the woman?
It’s a little book on how to know Jesus, and how to make Him your personal Friend. I have read this book many times, and every time I open its pages, I find something new that I can apply to my life.
Would you like a free copy?
If you’d like your own copy, I’m providing a signup link, where you will be mailed a paper copy of this book for free.
Click here to get your copy of Steps to Christ!
If you prefer listening to audiobooks or reading books on your e-reader, then please select the following links.
Free audio chapter by chapter and free E Reader book
Of course, the best book for your Christian life is the best book of all time, the Bible. If you are unable to get a copy, please let me know and I will send you one. 😊
Steps to Christ is nice in that it is small, fits in your pocket (right, Abede?), and gives very practical ways to apply the Bible to our everyday lives. Like a primer in the Christian walk.
A few years ago, a wonderful Christian school that some of our friends’ kids have attended did a series of music and talks based on the Steps to Christ book.
You can find the whole series online, and here’s the first video in the series, then a favorite song from the series! If you like it, you can still sometimes find the DVDs available, but they’re not being published anymore as DVDs.
I hope that you’ve enjoyed this personal testimony.
God has something for us each to do. I want to hear His voice and listen.
How about you?
Leave a comment and let me know!
This post is #3 in the 31 posts of January, part of the Ultimate Blog Challenge.
You can never know when your mere presence or a simple gesture can make a difference in someone’s life.
So true.
We have no idea.
Interesting that the person told God that he did not like something. God wants us to be obedient and we are not always going to like what He tells us to do.
Life isn’t about just following what we like. That’s easy, but not really reality as a Christian. But if we make the choice to follow God, I believe He can help us to like what we did not like before!
What a beautiful story! It’s amazing that the guidance he received was so clear AND so persistent. I bet her life did depend on it. When I get guidance it is often not that clear so sometimes I miss it, and only understand it in hindsight.
Yes, I have had many missed opportunities from not paying attention, or from pure selfishness.
Wonderful words of hope and life for sure. Thank you for sharing – Steps to Christ is such a wonderful blessing to many
I’m glad to share so that others can find courage to step out of God impresses them.
❤️
Awww…that we should all heed that still small voice…
Yes, learning to listen is something we all could improve at!
My husband and I have been passing out Gospel Tracts for 48 years now. Sometimes, we don’t listen when God wants us to give a particular person a tract, but when we do, incredible things like this testimony happens.
We also have been giving out the Gospel of John that we purchase from an organization that we sponsor.
You never know who needs an encouragement, who is doubting, who is hurting, who is angry at God–the list is endless, but our God is faithful and uses us as instruments to proclaim His Word.
Blessed be the name of the Lord, most Holy God.
Bottom line: Be obedient.
Yes!!!
Thank you so much!!
I’m not always willing either, but God is so good! I do believe we will be happier not passing people by!
Keep sharing!!
What an awesome story and introduction to the series. Thanks so much for sharing at the Exploring World Religions Linkup 19 so that we can better understand each other through our religion, faith, or beliefs. Pinned.
Thanks!!
CONGRATS Laurie! Your post is FEATURED at the Exploring World Religions Linkup 20!
Thank you! That’s awesome!