A Series of Fortunate (and Somewhat Awkward) Events
Sometimes following Jesus means things get strange before they get really, really good. Just ask Chris.
By Aaron Myers
This is the first in a new series called “Ordinary Interactions” — true stories of everyday Christians attempting to live out God’s call to ambassadorship. They are a glimpse into the messy, simple, and rewarding ways that God uses ordinary Christians to change eternity.
“Are you going to be done with my bench soon?”
Chris was attempting a little playful banter at the gym, but as the young man in front of him jumped up anxiously, it was clear the “playful” part of the banter hadn’t registered.
“Yeah, yeah, I’m done,” the young man said. “Sorry, I’m new here and didn’t know this bench press was yours.”
Chris cracked a disarming smile. “I’m just messing with you, man. You can keep lifting. I was just playing around.” Chris reached out his hand. “I haven’t seen you here before. My name is Chris.”
The young man was visibly relieved. “I’m Mateen. I just got a membership and don’t really know how this gym works.”
A former interpreter for U.S. forces in Iraq, Mateen had relocated to an American city for his family’s safety.
Chris discovered Mateen was from Iraq and had served as an interpreter for U.S. forces in the aftermath of 9/11. He had fled to Chris’ bustling east-coast city to escape threats to his family stemming from his military work.
It became apparent that Mateen didn’t have any real friends in the city. Chris saw an opportunity to extend friendship, and perhaps an opening for the Gospel. After a quick text to his wife, Chris invited Mateen home for pizza. Mateen immediately accepted.
The unlikely ambassador
Twenty years before meeting Mateen at the gym, Chris had been strung out on drugs, living a life far from God. A childhood experience with the power of God kept him tethered to faith, but without a community of believers around him, he floundered spiritually.
At thirty-five, he came to the end of his rope.
He dusted off a Bible and read it cover to cover, and his wife convinced him to go to church. As Chris’ spiritual life was restored, he caught a vision for telling others about the good news of the kingdom of God.
A Perspectives class hosted by his church opened Chris’ eyes to God’s heart for the nations, and a short-term mission trip solidified his zeal for sharing Jesus.
Chris became so bold in sharing the good news of Jesus that he often made other Christians uncomfortable. He developed a particular passion to make Jesus known among the unreached peoples of the world: Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and Animists. Peoples of the world that, increasingly, were living in Chris’ neighborhood.
An awkward invitation
When Mateen showed up to Chris’ house for pizza, he didn’t know what to expect. In the six months since arriving in the United States, Chris was the first American to offer anything more than a passing glance.
Before getting the gym membership, Mateen’s routine had been simple: work as an interpreter, watch TV at home, sleep, and repeat. He’d gotten the gym membership to break up the monotony, and in the faint hope of making friends.
As he chatted with Chris and his wife Betty over pizza, Mateen found himself relaxing. Chris and Betty drew out Mateen’s story, stopping often to ask questions, at one point pulling out a world atlas to see where Mateen’s family lived.
Chris shared his own story of heartbreak and redemption. Mateen listened intently, as if trying to reconcile the Chris in front of him with the Chris from the past.
When Chris described the transforming impact of Christ on his life, Mateen became more guarded. Chris wondered if he’d shared too much for their first time together, but trusted that with God’s grace, a seed was planted.
As the evening drew to a close, Chris had one more invitation for his new friend:
“Mateen, I help lead a young adult group at my church. We hang out and read a story from the Bible each meeting. Would you like to come?”
Mateen seemed caught off guard. Betty, sensing the invitation was too on-the-spot for Mateen to respond, quickly jumped in: “Why don’t you think about it and you can call or text Chris tomorrow to let him know. We’ll text you the time and address just so you have it.”
Chris and Betty wondered what God was doing – would they see Mateen again?
Mateen looked relieved. “Sure. Thanks for inviting me, I will let you know. And thank you so much for the pizza tonight.”
Mateen left, leaving Chris and Betty wondering what God was doing in this young man’s life.
Would they see him again? Would he come to the meeting? Where was his heart in all of this? As they reflected and prayed together later that evening, only one thing felt certain: they had done their best to be faithful.
What’s going on with this guy?
Two evenings later, Chris was at his young adult group, repeatedly checking his watch and eyeing the driveway through the front window. No sign of Mateen.
As the meeting started, Chris’ phone rang. It was Mateen. He was on his way, but was still on the other side of the city. He wouldn’t arrive until the end of the meeting. Chris suggested he wait until next week’s meeting and hung up, wondering if Mateen really was serious about coming.
Six months later, as Mateen sat in a corner chatting with two young Christian guys, Chris marveled at the journey it had been.
Mateen, true to his word, had showed up at the next meeting, and at nearly every meeting after.
Most of the time he sat quietly, looking a bit bored. Mateen came primarily for the friendships he was forming. But his occasional responses to the Discovery Bible Study questions showed he was engaging with scripture more than he let on.
A surprising revelation
Although Mateen was now a regular at the small group, Chris struggled to discern his spiritual interest. Sometimes Mateen would ask a question that suggested he was close to a decision for Christ. At other times, he sat through the Bible study with such an expression of abject boredom that he seemed miles from salvation.
Chris kept praying, occasionally pushing in with probing questions.
On a Sunday morning in mid-March, Chris got a call as he was heading out the door for church. Mateen wanted to come and wondered if Chris could save him a seat. Chris and Betty prayed together for Mateen as they drove to church, hoping that perhaps today would be the day of salvation.
Chris was startled when Mateen got up with them. He knew he’d have to say something.
Mateen seemed himself as he slid into the seat beside Chris. He stood and sang the worship songs, put money in the offering plate, and listened intently to the sermon, even writing a few notes in the margins of the Bible that Chris had given him a few months back.
Chris noticed the margins of Mateen’s Bible were covered in notes, and that verses were underlined.
Then came the end of the service, and the time for weekly communion. Chris and Betty stood up and started for the front of the church. Chris was startled when Mateen stood and began walking with them to the bread and wine.
Chris’ mind began to race. He glanced at Betty’s confused face. Chris took a deep breath – he knew he’d have to say something.
“Hey Mateen,” he began. “So . . . communion is for those who trust in Jesus for their salvation. We do it as a reminder of his sacrifice for our sins.” Chris paused, looking at Mateen, who smiled and said nothing.
Chris continued awkwardly, “So . . . if you are not a Christian, if you aren’t trusting in Jesus for salvation, you really shouldn’t be taking it.”
Mateen kept smiling. A flustered Chris was racking his brain for what to say next. Mateen finally spoke.
“I know that, Chris. I believe in Jesus. I believe that he died for my sins and I am following him as my Lord and my savior.” Tears came to Mateen’s eyes. “I wanted to take communion with you and Betty for the first time because you were the first person to tell me about Jesus.”
Now they were all crying.
Mateen said, “Let’s take communion, and then I’ll tell you more over lunch. You are going to invite me to lunch, aren’t you?”
Chris and Betty were dumbfounded, filled with joy, and bursting with questions, all at the same time. But the questions would have to wait. First they needed to take a communion they’d never forget, with their new brother at their side.
The story of Chris and Mateen reveals how much God is working behind the scenes, in ways we can’t see. It also teaches us to take risks, including the risk of an awkward interaction. It’s not uncommon for God to use a series of awkward – and providentially ordained – interactions to change someone’s life. Keep your eye out for opportunities to take these small risks for God, and ask yourself: did someone come to your mind while reading this article? What’s a step you can take with them this week?
Aaron Myers served with his family in Istanbul, Turkey for four years, and currently is on staff with Crescent Project in South Dakota.