By Claudia Koenig
Each morning we go to a neighborhood Peet’s Coffee where young people happen to work. My husband and I are favorably greeted, and I befriend them for the Gospel.
One morning a new employee was working the counter. What caught my attention were her eyes which were very beautiful in color, but looked dark and confused. I could tell that she had depth but her life needed fulfilling.
I observed her for about a month. Each time we spoke, she said she was new to D.C., that this place was not for her, and that she needed to move and was considering different states.
Finally, I took the risk. I said, “You have to know God formed you and knew you before He put you in your mother’s womb. Her eyes grew big, and she stopped what she was doing. Her eyes were now focused on mine.
I continued, “He knows where you should live. But, in order for you to know, you have to know Him first.” She looked more seriously into my eyes. “Would you like to know Him?” I asked. I noticed that no customers were coming up, and I moved a little closer to her. “Would you like to pray right now?” She looked at me with that dark and confused look and said, “This is hard after so many other beliefs.” I looked deeper into her eyes. “Don’t be concerned about that. Just like you have to come to work, just like you have to meet your responsibilities, this is also something you have to do.” Uncertainty showed in her eyes, and I responded, “You can do this.” I started to pray. “Come on, you can do this,” I told her, and her eyes reflected her surrender. God was doing the work. She looked right into mine and started praying. She believed in Jesus, repented of her sins, and gave her life to Him for His glory.
Her eyes grew soft. I said, “You see, you did it!! How simple it is to pray and ask. Now God will take over your life. He will help you and guide you to where He needs you. He will unravel all of what was before in your life, and He will be with you in everything. You will see: He will reveal Himself to you more and more. You belong to Him now.” She smiled with expectation!
The next time I saw her, her eyes were beaming with clarity! We talked about God, His love, and His expectant plan for her. Even now our conversations continue about the Word of God.
“Abba Father, God of souls, how you fill my heart for souls. Sometimes I cannot contain the pursuit for them because of the love of Your Son. I could fall to the ground, Messiah, and plea and cry out to You for more. But, You alone are the Saviour of souls!”
“Messiah, Light of the world, Saviour of souls, here is one more for Your crown! Help me to be about Your soul-saving. Make me blind to all else. Uphold me with Your righteous right hand for the enemy’s attacks on my body wanting to take my life are ongoing. But greater are You Who is in me than he who is in the world! Keep me in the shadow of Your wings. Protect me by the power of Your presence. Deliver me from fear of the enemy’s attacks, for blessed is the one whose God is his help. You promise to fight for me and that I will hold my peace in You. Flee enemy, in the Name of the One who has all power in heaven and on earth! Glory to You, Yeshua!”
“Holy Spirit, empower me in the Name of the Son of God, Jesus, with strength to tell of Jesus until He is all I breath and speak about, so many souls may have eternal life!”
[KJV]
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. (Jeremiah 29:11)
And he answered and said unto them, ‘I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out. (Luke 19:40)
I, even I, am the Lord; and beside me there is no saviour. (Isaiah 43:11)
Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, ‘The Lord rebuke thee. (Jude 1:9)
And said unto the woman, ‘Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.(John 4:42)
For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. (Matthew 18:11)
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (John 14:27, italics mine)