Welcome back to the "What Are You Thinking" podcast! In this truly special episode, hosts Ron and Lynette Lewis sit down with Daniel, a guest with a remarkable and unique story of transformation. Born and raised in Iran as a practicing Muslim, Daniel candidly shares his journey of grappling with a faith he found to be "work-based" and ultimately unfulfilling. Despite adhering to all the traditions and teachings passed down by his revered grandfather, Daniel found himself asking profound questions about God and life, seeking a personal connection that his upbringing didn't provide. He recounts his struggles with a sense of emptiness in his relationships and business, eventually leading him to a pivotal moment where he questioned the very purpose of his life.

Daniel's search for meaning culminates in a powerful divine encounter in Dubai, where he unexpectedly attends a church service and hears a message about God's unconditional love from Romans 5:8, shattering his preconceived notions of earning God's favor. This revolutionary message, followed by a profound dream in which he encounters a glorious being offering "rest and peace," reveals a living God actively pursuing him.

This episode powerfully explores the themes of seeking true fulfillment beyond religious duty, the limitations of self-effort versus divine power, and the revolutionary nature of God's grace. Daniel's story, echoing similar experiences of divine encounters in restricted nations, underscores the strong takeaway that genuine peace and transformation are not achieved through human striving, but are gifts from a God who actively reaches out to a thirsty world.