Passing by a stand in the shopping centre, I briefly became aware of the young lady serving there, wearing a black hijab and long black abaya gown. Needing to get somewhere at a particular time, I couldn’t stop just then, but knew I would see her again if Holy Spirit reminded me to go back later.
There were several errands I needed to see to and, by the time it came to head home again, I had forgotten about the young lady at the stand! It was only when that stand came into view as I walked back through the shopping centre, that I remembered the young lady there.
Purposely walking towards the stand, I asked Holy Spirit what to share with this young lady - something that she would know must have come from God. The few words I felt He whispered in reply were: “Poetry is in her”. So, I went over to her, armed with those few words!
After chatting a little about how her day was going, I described how I had seen her earlier and felt that Father God wanted to give her a special encouragement today. She looked curious and eager to hear this encouragement so….green for GO! I will call this young lady “Asma”.
“You are definitely going to know if this is right or not” I said “because it won’t mean anything to you if it isn’t!”
No sooner had I said the words “Poetry is in you” than Asma nodded vigorously, exclaiming “Oh yes! I do write lyrics and put things in poetry, including rap! Though I haven’t written anything for quite a while”
“Well, today Father God is encouraging you to take that writing up again!” I continued. It’s time for you to release the poetry that is in you. This poetic expression will be a release for things that are on the inside of you to come out and bring you freedom. Those things need words put to them, to be expressed so the release can come” I declared. She nodded in understanding.
“But also” I continued “your poetry, your lyrics, are needed for others. The way you express things, the words you use, the meanings they carry, those are all significant in helping others with things they are carrying but can’t find words for. Maybe they don’t even realise they carry those things”. I could see a dawn of understanding and excitement come over her face, as she realised the importance of releasing the poetry that is in her.
“How did you know that about me? How do you hear these kind of things from God?” she asked. This was a beautiful opportunity to talk about Jesus, and how I had encountered Him at a dark time in my life, even though I hadn’t grown up in a believing family. Now He lives in me by His Spirit, and that is how I can hear Him speak special insights about others.
We chatted a little about her own devotion to Islam, including a fairly recent pilgrimage to Mecca, and how Jesus is a highly honoured prophet in Islam. I wanted to show interest and not get into any debate or comparing of religion. Instead, I emphasised that Jesus is very eager to answer our prayer when we ask Him to show us who He really is. He wants us to know Him as He really is.
It was then time to go, and Asma smiled and thanked me for sharing those words with her today.
Please join me in praying that Holy Spirit would remind Asma to ask Jesus to show her who He really is. If He can remind me to go back to that stand today to talk with her, I’m certain He can prompt her directly in the most amazing way! Oh yes! Do it, Lord Jesus!