You did it!
March 27, 2022
The musical My Fair Lady is about an arrogant phonetician who bets another linguist that he can transform a lower class "flower girl" with a thick Cockney accent into a proper lady within six months. To determine the winner, they take her to a ball to see how she performs among the upper class. When she convinces everyone that she is a proper lady, even one of royal blood, the two men congratulate each other extravagantly, oblivious to her, in a ridiculous song called, "You did it!"
It's over the top, I know. Exaggerations can be useful in pointing out what we wouldn't otherwise notice. How many times have we taken credit for what we've only had a part in, or for what God has done? We have a God who often works behind the scenes, unseen, empowering us and setting things up so that we can "perform". God also has an impeccable sense of timing, and when we're alert to it, it becomes so much more wonderful to give Him the glory than to grasp any for ourselves.
Let me tell you about two times when God set me up to do what He wanted. I have a dear Muslim friend who is like a kindred spirit. We've spent much time together. She loves God—gets tears in her eyes when she talks about Him—but she doesn't know Jesus and is loyal to her own prophet. One day when we were driving together, she was telling me about Eid al-Adha, the feast when Muslims commemorate Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son, whom they believe was Ishmael. Animals are ritually slaughtered and the meat shared with family and the poor. With compassion in her voice, she said, "I don't understand why they have to slaughter an innocent lamb". What an opening! Sitting in my car, with no interruptions, I explained the Passover Lamb and Jesus. She listened intently. After a period of silence, she said, "Well, Leslie, you and I think differently." Nevertheless, she had heard a clear presentation of the Gospel, and Jesus, "You did it!"
In the spring of the following year, we were sitting outside together enjoying the sunshine, and out of the blue she asked, "Would you please explain Easter to me?" Another opening! She listened to me with her eyes closed and tears streaming. She was obviously moved. Was it time to dive in with the sinner's prayer? I don't think so. I knew when to stop; some things take time to settle. Again, Jesus, "You did it!" and I rejoice that You gave me the privilege of speaking of You, for You. Lord, give me another opening! Take her deeper!
Has God given You opportunities to speak of Jesus to Muslims? Then let's give glory to Him together!
Thank You Lord for doing what we cannot do, for removing barriers, for opening hearts, for stirring up spirits to desire to know You, for creating pregnant moments, for the privilege of pouring living water into thirsty souls!
Do you long for more occasions to speak of who Jesus is and what He's done to someone who is primed to listen? Then let's ask God together!
Jesus, send us people whom You've made ready to hear the Gospel. Help us reflect You enough that they want to ask us about You. Help us be attentive to Your Spirit so as not to miss the opportunities. Fill our mouths with words that hit the mark and satisfy the need for understanding.
Bless all those who have sown the seeds and watered them, and bless the Lord of the Harvest.
"I [Paul] planted the seed, Apollos watered it,
but God has been making it grow.
So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything,
but only God, who makes things grow."
(1 Corinthians 3:6-7)