“To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.” (Acts 26:18, KJV)
My getting a ministry house ready for work and guests has been done at a slow pace due to my spine situation. But a slower pace helps me pray with more patience about everything that is needed before we look for one item at a time, seeking God’s purpose.
We went to look for boxes to organize some items. At this store, a lady that worked there had prayed with me before and believed in Jesus.
This day she happened to be there as a customer. We hugged when we saw each other. We had a short chat to catch up on her life. It was very sweet to know that she was learning God’s ways one situation at a time.
We then went our own ways, but we ran into her again in the rug section. Since she used to work there, she knows about our house needs and was very helpful. She pointed out a great quality rug that was on sale at a very low price. She said that it had been marked down with a special discount. We did need a rug for the yet-to-be-worked-on basement that is being used as a filming and recoding studio. We took a good look at the rug that would help with soundproofing and decided to take it.
The young man who was helping her was kind enough to help us as well. We needed the rug to be brought down so we could see its colors in the light. As he was bringing down the rug, I noticed that his nametag read Josh.
I asked, “Is the name on your nametag short for another name?”
“Yes, it is for Joshua,” he answered.
“Oh, well you know what name you have then!” I smiled.
“What name is it?” he asked curiously.
“It’s in the Bible,” I told him.
“I have heard of that before,” he said.
“Do you know anything about Joshua in the Bible?” I asked.
“I have heard some things here and there,” he said.
“Well, let me tell you about Joshua,” I said. He smiled and stopped bringing down the rug and listened. When I got to the part about the waters parting after the first step was taken into the Jordan River, I asked him, “Now, who do you think can part the hindrances in your life to help you get across to where God needs you to be?”
He answered, “God?”
“Yes, of course. But you have to know Him personally. And that can only be so if you believe in His Son. And He will listen when you cry out to Him when there is not a way out, and He will answer and make a way for you. Would you like to know His Son?” I asked.
“Yes, I would,” he answered. Then he started to bring the rug down again. “Would you like to pray now to know Him and let Him be the Saviour of your soul, so that you know where you will go when your time comes?”
“Yes, I would.” The rug was now on the floor. The colors were beautiful! He stopped and looked at me.
“Let’s pray.” As he prayed, his eyes were fixed on mine. He focused as he prayed and carefully prayed each word. He believed in Jesus, asked for forgiveness of his sins at the cross and gave his life to Him.
Afterward, he looked so content and joyful! We talked about reading the Bible, and he thanked me again and again. Then he said, “My parents were going to name me Moses.” He was smiling widely. The light! Just like the rug, the light made the colors look brighter. His eyes, with the Light of Jesus inside him now, looked brighter.
We left to go get the boxes, while he took the rug to the cashier area. We thought we were there for boxes, but Jesus was there to save a soul!
“Abba, Father, what timing for the lady with whom I had prayed a year ago to be at the store when we were. And what timing to meet her where the rugs were. Your Holy Spirit was making the way for the young man to hear about Your Son, Jesus, for his salvation. And You, Lord Jesus, were right there with the four of us, Your Spirit setting up the whole situation for his salvation. Out of darkness, into the Light!”