In Acts 8:26-40 we read that Philip was led by an angel of the Lord to meet an Ethiopian eunuch on his way. It was a divine encounter that led to that man's salvation and immediate baptism—a divine encounter that was only possible because Philip did exactly what he had been commanded to do. Oh, the marvelous encounters God yearns for us to experience–but are we listening, are we obeying His commands, and are we courageously proclaiming the message He calls us to share? 

Rolling down my window, I said to the two men in front of the convenience store: “Hello. Can you help me? I’m lost. Do you know where the police station is?” “Yes” one of them responded “Keep straight, take a left and you’ll see the sign. You can’t miss it.” I quickly thanked him and went on my way.  

At the police station, as I was completing my visa renewal, I felt a prompting from the Holy Spirit saying: “When you finish here, go back to the convenience store. Thank the man who helped you and give him the book you have in your glove compartment.” I paused, considered the prompting, but quickly reasoned it was all part of my imagination, but the prompting intensified. Then, I realized it was from the Lord, but I got nervous and afraid that he might reject what I have to say and suddenly like wildfire spreading through a forest, I started to imagine the worst and worry about the other man who had been standing there with him. I wondered: “What if he discourages him from accepting what I have to share?” So, I prayed the man would be alone in the convenience store, so I could easily speak to him and let him know how God had led me to give him this New Testament reformatted into a book entitled: “The Life, The Teaching & The Miracles of Jesus”.

“Obediently”, I went to the convenience store, thanked him for having helped me before. I sensed that he was welcoming and kind, but rather than explain the reason why I was in his store, I purchased some gum, wished him a wonderful day and left. As I was driving away, an overwhelming spirit of grief came over me. I stopped the car, tried to reason with myself as to why I hadn’t said anything and the Holy Spirit’s gentle whispering voice said: “You didn’t do what I told you to do”. I said a quick prayer asking Him to help me to not be afraid and returned to the convenience store. 

With my eyes welling up with tears, I confessed to that man who was old enough to be my father that I needed to speak to him. I introduced myself and he introduced himself as Haytham. I explained how God had spoken to me at the police station and how I had been hesitant and quite afraid in speaking to him. I told him I had a special message that God wanted him to know and that I was back simply by pure obedience to the Holy Spirit. I explained that God loves him and that He wants to make Himself known to him and that a personal relationship with God is only possible through Messiah Jesus—the One and Only who makes atonement for our sins. I added that through the book I was giving him, he would discover who Jesus is—a good news message not only for him, but for his family, his relatives—good news for the whole world. He had been listening very attentively. He asked some questions which I answered and then he humbly mentioned he would most definitely read it and was looking forward to it. 

When I finished speaking to Haytham, my spirit was in complete peace. I had done what the Lord had called me to do and now God would do the rest—He would bring about the growth and the fruit that needs to take place in Haytham's life—all in perfect time.