My post today is written by my wife, Marcia. It is a true story which occurred during our trip to “Central Asia” a few years ago. The names have been changed for security reasons. The Lord is working in many hearts unseen – except for the “light that shines” and manifests His glory.
John 1:5 “And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.”
My husband and I walked into a crowded little shop in Central Asia and received a polite greeting from the owner. A friend who knew the language helped us order a product which we could pick up the following week. We were in a spiritually dark “creative access” country.
The next week came. A team member, “Nancy,” accompanied me. The owner, “Mr. T.” seemed very glad to see us. He brought out the product. I smiled and handed him the correct amount in his currency. He told my friend, “No, I don’t want her money. She is a friend of our country.” I was so humbled and twice tried to offer him cash, and even my umbrella. But again, the answer came, “No.”
I wondered what he and Nancy were discussing for his face seemed to shine with light. We left the shop after grateful goodbyes. Later Nancy told me, “He asked if we could get him a New Testament in his language.”
After team prayer, we found an entire Bible in Mr. T.’s language. We hid it in my purse and prayed for safety upon our return. We entered the shop, empty, except for Mr. T. I drew out the Bible and handed it to him. “And the light shines in the darkness.” Mr. T. said he had been a secret believer for seven years. There were religious leaders in his family who would kill him if they knew he had become a Christian. “But the darkness did not comprehend it.”
My new friend is half a world away.
But still, I see his face,
Shining with Your light, dear Lord,
Give him mercy and Your grace.
Even in the darkest places, God’s light shines in those who love Him.
