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In all my “works” I found I could produce no eternal value, but in “returning and rest” He was able to speak to me and lead me for His eternal purpose.

My first trip to China was a “scouting” trip. I was drawn to China, and wanted to get a feel for the country, the culture, and what God might have for me there. I was alone… on my own… and I have to say the trip was supernatural in many ways. The only part that was hard was my effort to meet Chinese Christians.

For several days I walked the streets of my target city, a city with over 12 million people. I was making myself available for any Chinese believer to approach me to find out if I was a believer, too… but I probably had a very wrong expectation of what a Chinese Christian might even be willing to risk.

After days of walking I came back to my room late Friday afternoon thoroughly worn out AND discouraged. I remember standing at the hotel room window, looking out and thinking to myself, “What in the world am I doing here?” I felt lost… out of my element… and that I had no business being there.

After a few minutes of thinking down that path I realized I needed to quiet my thinking and get in a different state of mind. I decided to take my street clothes off and lie on my bed, and quiet before the Lord. There I lay, quiet, for about 45 minutes. Then, without warning, it happened… From within me I heard, “Get up, get dressed, and leave the hotel.”

Immediately my mind began to race. I didn’t know where to go, but I thought I should head toward a larger hotel in the area where I might have more opportunity to make the kind of connection I’d been seeking. I dressed, left the room, walked through the hotel lobby and started for the front door… when I was stopped by a young Chinese woman who was coming into the hotel.

“Excuse me,” she said in her best English. “Do you speak English?”

I replied, “Yes, I do.”

She the asked, “Is English your native language?”

“Yes,” I said. “I’m American.”

To which she responded, “Would you help me practice my English?”

And I said… “Well, I’m on my way out right now… but I can be back in about an hour. Would that be good for you?”

She frowned slightly. “I’m meeting friends to go to a movie, so that will now work for me.”

At that I apologized, excused myself, and left the hotel.

As I walked toward the street this thought came to me… “Is where you’re going so important that you can’t take the time to talk to that young woman?”

That thought stopped me in my tracks. I realized I had interpreted what the Lord had wanted me to do, and by doing so had actually added to what He had said to me in my room. I quickly apologized and said, “You’re right, Lord. Help me find her again.”

As I entered the hotel lobby I scanned the room for her, but didn’t find her. I then started in one direction, and suddenly she came into view. Approaching her, I apologized for my abrupt behavior and told her I would be more than happy to help her practice her English.

We went out of the hotel, crossed the street and sat on a park bench. We carried on a conversation, asking each other questions… and then the subject of creation came up… and then the existence of a Creator. Within a few minutes I was able to tell her about God, and about Jesus, and about His sacrifice for her. She then allowed me to lead her in a prayer for her salvation.

The next day we met, and God led us to a book store where we could purchase a Chinese and English Bible for her. We went to a tea house and spent time talking about the Bible, and where she should begin. Over the remaining three days of my stay we touched base several times… and each time she came with more questions. She was truly hungry for God and this new life she had experienced.

In all, I can only figure that the entire trip was for her. In all my “works” I found I could produce no eternal value, but in “returning and rest” He was able to speak to me and lead me for His eternal purpose.

That, my friend, is what it’s all about.