Divine Appointment:Muslim Taxi Driver

What is a Divine Appointment anyway?  To me this is when God tries to get our attention through the Holy Spirit, to move forward in accomplishing a specific work, right where we live. Generally, it is a special spiritual task that needs fixing in someone and He wants to speak through us or use us to repair it!

For example, the other day, a neighbor took us to the Dogwood Festival in Midtown, Atlanta. To avoid the crowds, we parked early and took the Marta train into Atlanta. After enjoying the festival, we chose to take a taxi back to the train, since it was about a mile away.  As we entered the taxi, I sat in the back seat between my husband and our neighbor, with easy conversation access to the taxi driver. After a brief conversation, he told me he was from a Middle Eastern Country. I complimented him on his excellent English and we proceeded in friendly conversation.  At the point when he told me he was a Muslim, I knew and felt the Holy Spirit guiding my conversation. I prayed, "Lord, speak through me….I am at your service!"

There was dead silence in the taxi…….and it would have been much easier to just enjoy the rest of the ride looking out at the beautiful streets of historic Atlanta.  No one spoke except the Holy Spirit who was "literally on fire within me" prodding me to open my mouth! 

Finally, I couldn't take it any longer. Out of my mouth the words came flying: "Since I am a Christian, I would love to know what you think about Jesus Christ!?" His reply was polite and genuine and he got right to the point. "Our faith believes in Jesus Christ but not the same as you do." I politely asked him to explain.  He said, "We believe Jesus was a great teacher and a good person, born of Mary and her husband Joseph.  He could not possibly be the Son of God, as a result." I slid up close to the front seat and began to share with him my thoughts:

First, Joseph was not Mary's husband at the time of Jesus' conception. Mary and Joseph were engaged, not married and not living together at the time. She was a virgin, her baby divinely conceived through God the Holy Spirit, just as God's Word tells us in the Bible.

"This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit." Matthew 1:18 (NIV)

I explained, we can believe this because according to God's Word, the Bible is without error, full of truth and we can trust it.  "All Scripture is God-breathed…." 2 Timothy 3:16

Secondly, we discussed the "Trinity" of God: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, all three in one with the same attributes and goals.  All three were together at the very beginning of creation.  I pointed out the word "God" Elohim is not singular but a PLURAL form of the general name for God in Genesis 1:1-2. "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters."

God is one but has three distinct functions.  (Like an ice cube becomes water and vapor, it still is water even though it has 3 different functions.) To simplify it I explained, God the Father is the Master Creator of the Universe, God the Son came to this earth to save and restore sinful mankind through his life, death and resurrection back to God's family and God the Holy Spirit dwells on this earth within everyone who believes in Jesus Christ, becoming our spiritual counselor, guide and encourager.

Thirdly, and most importantly, I shared the Gospel (Good News) of Jesus Christ: Jesus Christ was not only a great teacher and healer while on this earth but at 33 years old, he accomplished what he ultimately came to the earth to do. Out of God the Father's great love for mankind, Jesus literally wore ALL man's sins on his perfect body, and was punished, beaten and crucified for them all. He paid for "all" man's sins in full.  He then went to the grave for three days and arose from the dead, ascending into heaven where he lives today, preparing a home for every person who believes and trusts in him. When we believe in Jesus and are willing to follow Him as our Savior and Lord, our past, present and future sins are forgiven and we receive the gift of eternal life in heaven. 

Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)

"I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life." (John 6:47)


I knew our taxi ride was about to come to an end so  I asked my new friend, "Does this make sense to you?"  "Yes," he replied. I then told him "A man as smart as you needs to read the original Christian Bible which your Muslim Koran scriptures were interpreted from. As the spiritual leader of your family, you need to know and share God's truth of Jesus Christ so that when you die, you will all go to heaven. God doesn't play favorites. He loves everyone equally. He truly loves you and wants you and your family to be with Him one day."

I can still hear his final words ringing in my ears, "Thank you, thank you lady for sharing with me God's scriptures I never knew before!" As my husband paid him, I could hear him still expressing his gratitude. His final words were, "Tell your wife, I really appreciate her sharing with me!"

A divine appointment?  Absolutely!  Inspired by the Holy Spirit? Absolutely!          Nothing is a coincidence. I was blessed to become God's messenger that wonderful day.  I wish I could have had more time but God's timing is always perfect.  

What happens next? After sharing the Gospel with this dear man,  I now leave the results in God's all-powerful and  all-knowing hands.  God's word is guaranteed to accomplish what He pleases and to prosper in the thing for which God sent it. As God's Word promises: "so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it." Isaiah 55:11 (NIV)

How about you?  Do you have a Divine Appointment to share?