Just Do It... A Real Jonah Story

God Wants Us to “Just Do It”

After our last class on Jonah, I was able to share this story with our teacher Nicole. In our lesson she stressed how we need to step out in obedience in order for us to receive and experience God’s grace and power. Jonah had a lot of opportunities to do just that. Jonah’s story reminded me of my own story of God calling me to obey, and I was too afraid to do what He told me to do: kind of like Jonah.

My husband and I were stationed in Moscow, Russia with the Navy in 1979 for two years. He was one of the Naval Attachés at the American Embassy. We knew the KGB (secret police) worked in the Embassy. We heard that Raya, who worked in travel services, was a KGB Colonel. Raya was a big blond woman who liked me. On my last day in Moscow she was sitting on the steps of the Embassy and said to me. “Mrs. Williams you are such a lovely lady.” I said “ Oh, no. I’m a mess and so tired from moving.” Then she said the words that gave me the greatest opportunity of my life to witness. She said, “No, I mean you are lovely on the inside.” This was my perfect opportunity to tell her about Jesus and that she too could be beautiful on the inside. But I was afraid and never said a thing.

When I got back to the States I visited my mother’s bible study and spoke at their church in Florida to thank them for sending 100 Russian Bibles for me to distribute secretly. I started to cry when I told them the story about how I missed the opportunity to witness to the KGB woman, Raya. I went home to my mother’s home in Orlando and the doorbell rang that afternoon. When I answered the door, a woman said, “ I heard you speak today. I am going to Moscow in a week and I want to take a letter to Raya.” I was so excited. I ran in the house and wrote Raya the letter about the day on the Embassy steps, and how she too could ask Jesus to come into her heart. I told the woman that I would pray for her. I also told her to make sure Raya was alone when she delivered the letter. Under Communism, the people are taught to spy on one another. It would be dangerous for Raya if anyone saw her receive that letter.

When the woman got to the Embassy in Moscow she said she could feel the fire of God upon her. She knew she was on a mission and God was protecting her. She went straight to Raya’ office. Raya was alone. The woman from Florida greeted her from me, gave her the letter, and knew she was to leave immediately. She left.

I will never know what happened after that, but I do know that God was pursuing Raya. I’m so thankful God gave me a second chance to be obedient to his calling. I’m also thankful I could be a part of God’s plan for Raya, and I look forward to seeing her in heaven. There is such joy in doing what God has called us to do. As Nike says, JUST DO IT!!!!

DEAR LORD, I PRAY THAT YOU WILL GIVE US THE COURAGE, THE STRENGTH AND THE FAITH TO DO THE RIGHT THING YOU ARE CALLING US TO DO, AND THAT WE WILL TRUST YOU. GIVE US YOUR HEART FOR THOSE YOU HAVE PUT IN OUR LIVES AND HELP US FROM GOING OUR OWN WAY. LOVE, KARIN WILLIAMS