Unexpected ways

Unexpected ways. How He pierces hearts. Pursues the lost lamb.

Opens eyes to see. And ears to hear.

During our years in a desert city, a believer shares her story. Tells me the very moment she turned and followed Christ. 

Reading Scripture. And not the usual evangelistic passage.

But pointing to the One who is worthy of our praise. 

The necklace

Zara* was raised in a conservative village. Everyone there following the same religion. 

No outsiders. And all women fully covered. Veiled.

She’s sent to boarding school. And one day, Zara and a friend go to the market. Looking for jewelry, she finds a pretty necklace.

When she wears it to school, the headmistress says, “You can’t wear that.” 

Why? “It’s Christian.”

Zara is wearing a cross necklace. And has never seen a cross before. She doesn’t realize its significance.

Unexpected marriage

Several years later. After studies in England. She returns and takes evening classes at a local college. There she meets a teacher from a Christian background. Ahmed*. And they are drawn to one another.

Her family agrees to have a marriage arranged between them. Unexpected. In a place where this is not done.

And his family puts an ad in the local paper. Saying “We have no more links with Ahmed. He is our son no more.” They are afraid of reprisals. Because Ahmed is marrying a woman of the majority religion. 

An uncle arranges the marriage for him.

Diligent

After the wedding, Zara and Ahmed agree. They will practice their own religions. 

She’s diligent to pray the designated prayers every day in their home (as a woman she’s not allowed in the place of worship). And reads her religious book in the original language. 

But she notices something odd. Her husband never prays. Never reads his Bible. Never goes to his place of worship. Unexpected.

She secretly hopes he will convert to her faith. And is delighted when he buys a copy of her book and begins studying with a local religious teacher.

Authority

But his studies raise questions in Ahmed’s mind. He asks, “Why?” about various stories in her book. Begins to study the Bible. Comparing the two. 

And encourages her to read it too.

For the first time in her life, Zara opens the Bible. 

She reads stories in the Old Testament, but also about Jesus in the New Testament. 

She’s impressed again and again. By how Jesus speaks with such authority. 

“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). Stunning.

Jonah

They are visiting Ahmed’s uncle. Whose name happens to be Jonah. 

She’s read about the prophet Jonah in her own book. Now she reads about him in the Bible.

Zara is struck again by how detailed the Bible is. Telling everything. 

Somehow, the stories in the Scriptures feel complete to her. And purposeful.

She reads about the plant that provided shade for Jonah. Then comes to the final verses.

Zara believes

“But the Lord said, ‘You have been concerned about this vine, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than 120,000 people who cannot tell their right hand from their left—and also many animals?’”
Jonah 4:10-11 NIV

Something clicks in her heart and mind. A hunger for this God of mercy and compassion. Caring for the people of that great city.

And then. 

At that very moment. 

Zara repents. 

And believes the One who came to seek and to save the lost. (Luke 19:10)

Unexpected ways

When I find myself wondering how a devout follower of another religion could ever turn and follow the Savior, I remember Zara. 

And the unexpected ways God worked. The startling point of her belief.

During the story of Jonah, of all places. 

Thank the Lord for the truth of who He is. And the power of His Word that goes out and does not return void. 

Keep praying

Thank Him for sent ones who carry Good News to the neighbor next door. And to the ends of the earth.

Ahmed’s family first came to faith because a sent one came to their country. As a seeking adult, Ahmed remembered Bible stories he’d heard as a child. And surrendered his life to Christ.

Keep praying for others with stories like Zara. Who had little or no access to the gospel. Pray for access. 

And ask for ears to hear. 

Eyes to see. 

And hearts to turn and follow the One and Only Savior of the world.

What about you?

Have you seen God draw people to Himself in unexpected ways?

Related posts

The rest of the story – Open door – Threads – The One who sees me – Peace. Be still. – Witness – Unmapped – Matters of the heart – Gospel conversations – Living bread – The mystery of the gospel – Mystery revealed – 

*names changed