“I think this is why I’m here.”
We heard it more than once in Karachi. From expatriates on short assignments. With various companies. Consulates. Schools.
They heard about the international church meeting in our house. And came on Fridays for worship. Cross-cultural living in this “hardship assignment” made them stop and consider what’s crucial. In light of eternity.
Myrna* was one of those. The religious environment in Pakistan made her more aware of spiritual things.
When asked about her faith, Myrna replied, “I’ve always been a Christian.”
Ready to know more
But one month we started an evening study for women, using Experiencing God by Henry Blackaby.
Myrna came to me on Friday after worship. “I’ve always stayed on the perimeter in the church. Just watching from a distance. I think I’m ready to know more. To be more deeply involved.”
Our study had piqued her interest.
“I think maybe this is why I’m in Karachi.”
No longer a rebel
A mutual friend of ours called me a couple of weeks later. And told me she’d seen Myrna at a party.
“We never even touched our drinks because we were talking nonstop about Experiencing God and what she’s learning.”
In the weeks of our study, Myrna’s excitement grew.
One day she called me.
“I just want you to know. I’m no longer a rebel. I’m accepting Christ fully now.”
She had truly prayed for the first time in her life. Then watched. And seen God at work.
His transforming power
The next time we met, she testified to the group.
“I’ve given myself fully to the Lord. And asked Him to fill me. I’d been fighting it inside, but finally surrendered to Him.
“Now I open my Bible every day and pray. And while I was on my exercise bike this week, I realized, I can even pray while I’m exercising!”
We all laughed and rejoiced together. The light had flooded in and we were witnessing His transforming power in Myrna.
This is why I’m here
In our years there, others declared, “I think this is why I’m here.” As they began to understand more fully what it means to surrender all and follow Christ.
“God brought me to Karachi to lead me to Him.”
It never gets old. Testimonies of how He’s at work.
Hearing ways He draws people to Himself. Revealing the mystery of Almighty God who sent His Son to earth and provided the only way for us to know Him.
May we never tire of testifying to His saving power. For the glory of our King.
What about you?
What is your testimony of His saving power in your own life? Did the Lord catch your attention in a certain place?
Related posts
International fellowship – Wounded – Faithful witness – Provision – Skipping truth – Blood and sacrifice –
[*name changed]
2 replies on “This is why”
I remember sitting in a small meeting room in RVA and seeing how experiences had prepared me for that moment. I realized it was God’s path I was walking – even when it seemed to be off the edge of the map!
That story gave me chills, as I think about all the ways he uses our cross-cultural experiences. Sometimes it’s to people from our own cultures who are also living overseas for some reason. Great reminder that his ways are above ours, and we’re so blessed when they are!