After the excitement of sharing with the policewomen the day before, the next day I was feeling vulnerable and not like sharing at all. I prayed and told God “I’m not willing to talk to anyone today Lord!”
I had to pass a military police checkpoint to get home, as the protests were still raging. A captain stopped me and was fascinated with how cute my dog was. I was feeling so low that I made small talk but didn’t try to move the conversation in a deeper direction.
I told him I lived nearby, and without prompting he asked me if I would make him a cup of coffee! Even in my bad mood, I thought that was strange, and I had better do it in case God was calling me to!
When I came down five minutes later with a pot of coffee, the captain gave me a big hug, and told me “Ata Aloof, Ata Aloof” (You’re a champion)! And said to his partner “see, I told you he would come back, you said he wouldn’t!”
A welcome audience
Freshly inspired, I went to offer some of the coffee to the other soldiers who were manning the checkpoint, milling around without much to do before the protest was in full swing. They were mostly around 20-21 years old and in the middle of their military service.
One of the guy’s ears perked up when he hear me say a couple of words in English. He told me he was about to take his “psychometry” (an exam equivalent to the American SATs), and he needed to learn a bunch of complicated, academic English words. Being somewhat of a complicated, academic Englishman myself, I was able to help him a bit.
We got to know each other, and I told him I was a Messianic Jew who believes Yeshua is the Messiah. He told me when he was much younger he used to watch some apologetic videos and find them fascinating! I put him on to the One for Israel Youtube Channel, and he said he would be excited to take a look.
A small crowd forms
Some other soldiers heard us speaking in English and came over to see what was going on. Soon I had a small audience of about 5 of 6, and one of them asked me what I have come to call “The Question”. That is,
“why am I in Israel when it would be so much easier to live in Europe".
It gets asked so often - and always feels like a good entrance in to a deeper conversation about faith. It comes up so much that just the day before I was praying about how I can answer, as I had often stumbled over the answer.
I felt God give me a reply in the form of a joke! “Where else can I get shot at by four different terrorist groups on the same day”. (I kid - of course the reality of life here in Israel is that the number is closer to seven terrorist groups).
The real reason I am here
After the laughter died down, I shared the real reason; I believe God is doing something special in this country. He has brought and is bringing the Jewish people back to the land physically. Now he is in the process of renewing us spiritually by introducing us to the Messiah most of us have missed. I shared how I felt that God had called me to Israel and that I felt great purpose to be here.
Over the next couple of hours different soldiers came and went, and I shared the gospel and my testimony with around ten overall, both guys and girls. I really felt the peace and joy of God as I shared, and I was so glad I had come back downstairs!
After over two hours, I needed to go back upstairs and do some work! This time I was bold and asked if I could pray for the group. They were happy to accept, even when I told them I would be praying in the name of Yeshua. I prayed God would lead them, guide them, protect them and reveal his plan for them in his son, the Messiah.
Takeaways
We can be honest with God and tell him exactly how we feel, and not try to “hide” any thoughts from him (as if we could!) Even in our unwillingness he can use us - as long as we are open to say yes when we see a crack in the door.
I had thought my non-perfect Hebrew would be a stumbling block to sharing the gospel. However more and more soliders started gathering around when I started to speak English. It turns out it is just the opposite - a USP!
A lot of different Jewish related apologetic questions came up, like a) “Do I eat Kosher”, b) “What do I think about milk and meat together”, and c) “Do I believe God is flesh and blood - you know Jews don’t believe that right?” It is a good reminder I need know my audience and to think through my own thoughts to questions that might come up.* a) yes and no. I avoid pork and shellfish because that’s how I was raised, but I don’t put my standards on other people, nor do I worry about rabbinical slaughter standards or mixing milk and meat together.b) Why not ask Abraham what he served the angels in Genesis 18!c) No - but at one specific time, God poured all of his glory into the person of Yeshua and dwelt with us on earth. He can do that, you know.
Prayer requests
For boldness to share even in my unwillingness.
To trust God to lead us to the right people
Thank you for your prayers and support from the bottom of my heart!
Adam