Order to Chaos - A Conversational Bible Study
What does a future eclipse in Egypt have to do with boldness in sharing Good News?
It’s our desire to always be ready to give an answer of the hope that is within us without ‘manufacturing opportunities’ out of our own strength. We want to be walking in step with Him and His plans for us as we seek to sensitively and boldly share what He is teaching us with others. “...Do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you should say. For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.” (Luke 11:11b-12) Despite this passage, about two weeks ago, I found myself frozen in ‘worry mode’. “Do I open my mouth or keep it closed?”
Neither of us can remember when we started walking together in the early morning six days a week, but Lola and I have consistently done so since at least 2008. That’s a LOT of hours of potential and realized conversation logged! We get to ask each other questions, share what’s on our hearts as we navigate the ups and downs of life. I’ve taken advantage of her as a language and cultural informant for the Lola and Rachel in 2021 on a morning walk benefit of myself, my family, and others serving here. She’s such an amazing resource with a wealth of knowledge. I’ve also used her as a sounding board in finding ‘just the right words’ when working on Stories from the Word, forming questions, and trying to practice for meaningful conversations SimplyTheStory.org style.
Going over Biblical content is NOT something that Lola likes to do. She’s very helpful, but God’s Word stirs her emotions in ways she does not like. At times she is downright disgusted with me for what she sees as ‘blind faith’. In her worldview, God is not fair. She does not approve of some of His decisions and frankly feels that she could do a better job in controlling life on planet earth than He does. She cringes whenever I bring up anything spiritually related. (Do you have any friends/relatives whose reactions are similar?)
Lola LOVES stargazing... Not my thing. (It makes me dizzy to crane my neck for a view!) Our city has grown to a population of over a million and it frustrates her that she can no longer see stars like she once could in the village in which she was raised.
A recent early morning conversation totally upended my understanding of how God brings Central Asians to Himself. I’ve thought that those who were not practicing Islam were much closer (on the continuum) to becoming believers than those who were confident, practicing Muslims. Lola said, “I haven’t yet been a good Muslim. How could I ever consider becoming a Christian before walking the path that my father prayed I would someday take?” Talk about a heart-breaking moment. I prayed. I asked the Lord for wisdom. I did not clearly hear His voice one way or another.
The next Tuesday morning, out of the blue, Lola tells me she wants me to go with her to Egypt for ten days in 2027 to experience a six minute “Eclipse of the Century.” She thinks it will be really cool to get to see stars clearly during the day. Her mom had never forgotten how as a preschooler she had witnessed animals going crazy during an eclipse of less than 2 minutes! The thought of being in Egypt at such a time of potential chaos did not appeal to me in the least! But then it clicked! Chaos!
In a Simply The Story study from Genesis Chapter 1 the day before, my friends and I were struck with how God had made the sun and moon to rule the day and the night. To some degree, the sun and moon brought order, the decrease of chaos. This time it was Lola who had brought up a spiritual topic without even realizing it! At that moment I opened my mouth and He filled it with praise for His amazing power and majesty and timing! It was crystal clear to me that He was the One opening the door for me to testify. So thankful that He is faithful to fill our mouths with what He wants us to share and when. I did not have to in any way 'twist the ‘conversation’ nor ‘manipulate the circumstances'. The Lord had orchestrated the 'right' passage at the 'right' moment, placing those verses on my schedule, mind, and tongue. He gave me the green light to speak. I couldn’t keep silent. I want to praise His name for clearly answering my prayer (and yours)!
No. That day I did not share ‘the whole Gospel’ but I don’t think Lola can ever go back to looking at the Heavens in the same way. I am trusting that He will use the beauty, majesty, and order in His Creation to not only impress her, but to move her (eventually) to her knees in recognition of the One who loved the world so much that He gave His only begotten Son to redeem her, to bring her into a right relationship with Himself.
Would you please (continue) to pray that the One who is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9b) would (continue to) draw Lola to Himself, to reveal Himself?
