Among my teammates, I’m known as a problem solver. I’m great with tech. I can fix a leaky pipe. And most importantly, I’m patient with the endless red tape of living in a foreign country.
While I love serving my team, a few months ago, I started feeling that my practical responsibilities were keeping me from the real work of ministry.
That sense only grew until one morning, I started my day with a cup of chai and a multi-page to-do list. I knew I had to get started, so with a sigh, I gathered the paperwork needed to pay our internet bill and trudged toward the office several blocks away.
When I arrived, the line was almost out the door of the stuffy building, and I had no choice but to wait. As the minutes ticked painfully by, I couldn’t help but think this wasn’t the best use of my time.
Finally, it was my turn. I hurried toward the window, eager to check off a box on my list and be one step closer to doing something important.
A monthly visitor to this office, I’d come to know Wahid, the man behind the counter, fairly well. So, when I greeted him, I was surprised by his silent nod in response. He was usually much more talkative.
As the older man stood from his stool and walked toward a cabinet to retrieve my file, I noticed a limp. His quietness clearly came from an unspoken pain.
As Wahid processed my payment, I asked him what happened.
His expression turned sour. “I was fixing something at home a week ago and fell off a ladder,” he said, shaking his head. “The pain has only gotten worse since then.”
I didn’t know if Wahid had been to a doctor or if he could even afford to seek medical help. But I did know the Great Physician.
Wahid and I had never had a spiritual conversation before, so I prayed he’d be open to it before asking, “Did you know that Jesus healed many people?”
“Yes, the Quran talks about Jesus being a healer,” he said, scratching at his white beard as he tried to recall what he had heard.
I smiled. “I am a follower of Jesus, who still heals. Can I pray for you in His name?”
As Wahid handed me a receipt, he nodded quickly. “Yes, please.” He sounded surprised but grateful.
Knowing there was a long line of people waiting where I had just been, I kept my words short. “Jesus, bring complete and lasting healing for Wahid’s leg in Your holy name.”
Then, I asked him to try standing. He looked a little reluctant, and I could tell he didn’t expect that anything had changed.
Tentatively, he stood up and took a few steps around the counter and into the lobby. But he didn’t stop. He kept walking, his gait even and smooth. He whirled around to face me, eyes wide in amazement.
“Before you prayed, the pain was very intense, and now it’s almost gone!” He let out a relieved laugh. “How can this be?”
“It’s from Jesus, who has the power to restore all things.”
Wahid pulled me into the lobby and urged me to explain more. We talked about Jesus and the Kingdom of God until I had to hurry to my next appointment.
Later that evening, as I walked home, I shook my head at my own faithless attitude going into the day. The practical work I considered an interruption to God’s plan had put me in the very place He wanted me.
When I checked in with Wahid a week later, he had been completely pain-free since our conversation, and I’m eager to visit him again soon to share more about Jesus.
I hadn’t expected to participate in a miracle as I checked things off my to-do list that day. But now I see that God can use even daily chores in His real work.
Pray:
- Ask God to draw Wahid’s heart to Himself and use this healing for His glory.
- Pray that Muslims like Wahid, who experience miracles and visions, will put their trust in Christ.
- Ask God to give Frontiers field workers a fuller vision of how God wants to use them in even the mundane parts of life.
**This account comes from a long-term worker. Names and places have been changed for security.**
Main photo on iStock: AzmanL
Original article: https://frontiersusa.org/blog/the-real-work/