A Godly Encounter
I have given out Bibles before and seen varied reactions from people receiving them – from quiet appreciation to wide-eyed gratitude. But I’ve never seen such incredible enthusiasm from someone who received their Bible for the first time until recently.
A week ago, I traveled to Edmonton to speak about the work of the Canadian Bible Society (CBS) at a conference and to start new connections in the city. I enjoy connecting with people and organizations who work hard in advancing God’s work in our part of the world. At the same time, I also love meeting people who have yet to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ. I refer to these meetings as Godly Encounters.
I had one such encounter on this trip. During a break in my schedule one evening, I went to a barber shop for a haircut where I struck a conversation with the barber who was originally from Tunisia. He is from a Muslim background, but when I mentioned that I work for the Canadian Bible Society and that we distribute Bibles in Arabic, he was shocked, surprised, and happy!
He asked, “Did God send you here? I have been waiting for many years to have my own Bible in Arabic.” He didn’t say a word after that, but his eyes were glowing! I felt the need to give him one as I couldn’t stop hearing his voice inside my head. He had been wanting to get a Bible and it just happened that I had Arabic Bibles in my car.
After he finished giving me a haircut, the barber stepped out of the shop to take a break. I quickly went to my car to get the Arabic Bible. When I came back with it, the man excitedly grabbed the Bible from my hand, sat on a chair, opened it to Genesis 1, and started reading out loud. After finishing half of chapter one, he said: “I am so thankful – it was a dream to hold a Bible!”
I am honoured to be working for the Canadian Bible Society. I am praying that the Holy Spirit would work in this man’s life and guide him to know Jesus as his personal saviour. Will you pray with me?