Walked into the waiting room while I got my oil changed. It was packed so I went to the “quiet” room and IT was packed also. But I sat down anyways.
“J”, an 81 year old professing Christian (I found out later), was talking to “N”, maybe a 24 year old.
Another lady (we’ll call Kathy) was chiming in with her thoughts. A man in his mid 80’s was sitting and soaking it all in. It was a lively bunch and I was going to get emails done. While reading messages, I was SO ease dropping on the convo to see who’s saved….any cues on faith….multi-tasking for sure.
Then J asked N: So where are you from?
N: Pakistan (TT’s antenna goes up)
More talk and Kathy mentions being in India.
Then a 30 year old girl comes in and sits down.
TT closes tha laptop. “Oh, I was in India twice.”
Kathy: What were you doing there?
TT: Oh I am a missionary and we were taking care of kids with special needs because you know in Hinduism they believe that you reap what you sow so if you did something bad in your former life, you can come back with special needs. So they sometimes give their children up and we get to take care of them!
And on and on we talked.
“J” asks “Do you work with Ravi Zacharias?”
TT: I did 3 trainings with his center!
J: Oh I love his teachings. Now what is an apologist? Is that a new term?
TT: An apologist is someone who can defend their faith.
Kathy: Well, that sounds negative. Like apologizing for something.
30 year old: mmmmmhmmmm. (like if her body language and reactions could talk, she would be saying “Zip it.”)
I just keep trucking.
TT to N: So are you a Muslim?
N: Yes, but not really practicing.
TT: I get you. I was the same way. Just doing the faith I was raised with and not really knowing what I was doing until I was 22.
N: What happened at 22? Like what made the change? (Don’t we all wish convos happened like this!)
I shared my story with the gospel in it. Everyone is listening. The bolder I got, the less the 30 year old felt free to attempt to intimidate me or get me to lock it in.
TT: I love to share about Jesus with Muslims! They are my favorite. We get in such great discussions. I’ve been to Iraq, Afghanistan…..
Then a firecracker believer comes in and sits down. Kathy leaves as her oil is changed. I hope her mind is too after our discussion.
J introduces the room to firecracker. (I didn’t catch her name but she is probs in her mid 60’s and loves her some Jesus.)
Firecracker talks about the American church being comfortable. We talk about Jesus more and what we think He is doing. 30 year old girl is all ears.
N gives up his seat to let a lady sit down. He comes and stands next to me. I said “Hey, wanna meet up some time and talk about Islam and Jesus?” He said sure and asked for my FB or Insta. I told him that I got off it for a year. (One of the best things Jesus has told me to do starting March 1st 2020) We exchanged numbers and I am going to get one of my apologist friends from AIM to meet up with him & me.
And we ain’t apologizing for nothing.
We so unashamed.
We won’t bow to the fear of man.
In an oil change “quiet” waiting room or on the rooftops.
So me and firecracker keep talking and 30 year old’s heart gets softer and softer. Her posture becomes receptive.
I am still wondering what the older man in his 80’s was thinking. J asked him “Why ain’t you said nothing?” He said “I’m just listening.”
The 30 year old looks at me and says “There are too many things that I have had happened to not believe.” I asked her what she has seen.
She tells a story and TT straight up gets goosebumps.
Then I share a story. She gets goosebumps.
Then firecracker shares something.
The momentum was building and I had to leave the room to take a call, with a girl I disciple.
We was havin’ church. 2, 3, maybe more were gathered in that oil change waiting room….and maybe a few silent under-cover Christians too. They on that witness protection program and TT shoulda told em they was free to come outta that.
But it really was just a waiting room that further confirmed people’s openness to the gospel in America. Now is the time for America. People were all cooped up in their homes for long enough to now be out in public and even if we get put in a “quiet” room MUST interact with humans in real life.
As Christians, I hope we will approach these wide open doors with eyes wide open. We must be as bold as ever. I find that the bolder I am….the more people listen. Sure you might get scoffs and body language telling you to SHUT UP….but that will always be there. Keep pressing in. You have the truth. And maybe your unapologetic apologist self might see hearts soften as they see someone who truly KNOWs what they believe and hasn’t drank the kool-aid of relativism and fear of man.
2020’s theme is “Fear God and live.” That’s my goal. I encourage you to be bold.
