Living the Mission

By Owen Dibden, Sydney Labouring Community

On an ordinary workday, I was sent to do final touches on a bathroom renovation. My friend Faran*, the glazier who installs our shower screens, rocks up. Fortunately, we were able to do our work in side-by-side rooms so we could chat. I hadn’t seen Faran for a little while so it was good to catch up and chat about the typical topic of family and fatherhood. After that initial conversation, it was open for any topic. Faran brought up a topic he had been interested in recently – the mystery of the pyramids in Egypt.

Now there is still so much mystery and discovery surrounding the pyramids, but the main questions we kept coming back to were: “How did they do that? What could have possibly done that? How did that get there? How did any of it happen?” And the only answer two tradesmen in a bathroom in the twenty-first century could come up with was, “We have no idea.”

We could only theorise, which was indeed entertaining and a fun thought experiment whilst we worked. Some theories went as far as aliens to time travel to lost technology far more advanced than what we have in current society. I saw this as an opportunity to see what my friend Faran believes.

I asked him if he believes or has faith in anything like a higher power or aliens, and he responded along the lines of: “I’m open to it all but how can we know?” I shared with him that I believe there has to be a higher power behind the creation of the world, that there is intelligent design in all of creation and I believe it is God. Faran politely acknowledged my faith and I asked him if he had any interest in researching if religion could answer his questions. He respectfully said he’s not interested. It was clear that he did not want to pursue the topic.

Despite his initial rejection to the idea, we left that job with no animosity between us. I think we both rather enjoyed having a discussion and would enjoy discussing it again. Faran left first, but as I wrapped up the job, I spoke with the clients. They overheard our conversation and were encouraged. It turns out the couple whose bathroom we had renovated were Christians. They were ministry workers for Christian Life from its grassroots days. It was very encouraging to hear from them. I felt blessed to have them prayerfully support me as we conversed. Even though I don’t consistently work side by side with other tradesmen/friends, the Lord wants me to keep pursuing evangelism whilst I work my full-time job. I hope to cross paths with Faran and others soon.

_{* Name changed for privacy}