For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. – John 3:16, NIV
Maria grew up in a country where there was no religious freedom. She was certain there had to be more out there. The Universe seemed so vast, and she couldn’t help but think that the world around her was too detailed, too orderly to be random.
When she moved to Italy, she began attending a local church. She desperately wanted to know God and understand Him more.
She thought that the way to do that was to embrace man-made traditions. She placed stone statutes of famous saints in her house. She carefully meditated each morning, crying out for wisdom. She went to confession regularly.
But she never felt like she knew God. Then one day an exchange student from the US came to Italy. The two women struck up a friendship and Maria invited her into her home. She was eager to hear about the woman’s God.
“I’ve been searching for God!” She gestured around her home. “I try to honor him. But I do not know him.”
Maria’s new friend opened a Bible from her bag and began to take Maria through the Scriptures, explaining the plan of salvation. At the end of their conversation, Maria accepted Jesus into her heart.
Prayer:
Lord, I pray for those in darkness, the ones who are eagerly searching for You. Send Christians to light their paths, to show them the way of Your salvation. Let me boldly share my faith with someone else this week. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
