4:45am and the taxi finally pulled into my driveway, 15 minutes late. Climbing into the cab, I was confronted with a man in full Muslim dress: white robe, white hat and curly black beard.
Apologizing for the delay, he was friendly and talkative. So I prayed quietly, asking God to show me how to start a conversation with the man.
When I learned he was from India—and told him I had visited—he asked if my trip was for missionary work. Responding yes, the conversation was immediately in high gear.
He was in my face right away: “If…peace be upon him…the prophet Jesus is really God, then who was in charge of Heaven when Jesus came to earth?” This took us to a spirited discussion on the trinity.
I boldly shared that Jesus was not merely the son of God—but equal with God, quoting Christ’s own words: “I and my Father are One.” The cabbie weaved between cars as he weaved around my Bible verses, clearly still hung up on the Trinity.
As we approached the airport, he told me that Jesus was only for Christians, but—quote—“Islam is for everybody.” I again quoted Jesus, “For God so loved the WORLD that He gave His one and only Son that WHOEVER believes in Him will not die, but have eternal life.”
Arriving at Midway airport, the conversation ended with the driver encouraging me to read the Koran…and me encouraging him to read the gospels. I tipped him generously, we shook hands and the door was open and shut.
Or was it? Perhaps a much more important door than the door to his taxi had just been opened. In the kindness and mercy of God, I pray that the door of his heart is now open, if only a crack.