I rolled out of a warm bed around 7:15 this morning. My feet landed on new carpet in our home. I made my way to the shower and received warm water to bathe. "Man it's good to have what I have!" I brushed my teeth and eventually made my way to a job where I lead a local church in reaching our community for Christ. Our church meets weekly for corporate worship. The hours are published and easy to see for everyone interested. We gather and serve our community at least monthly. We do these things without fear of persecution.
It's true that some may sneer or think how gullible we are for believing in One we can't see. But physical persecution is something we needn't fear. That's not true for many brothers and sisters throughout the world. Susan Wunderink posted yesterday at Christianity Today regarding the death of a sister. Gayle Williams was killed for serving those around her. It seems she wasn't evangelizing - technically. But the Taliban thought her to be a threat and disposed of her.
The tragedy that I think of includes Gayle. But also tragic is those of us who return to our safe places of ministry, employment, and even recreation, without knowing or caring about a faithful sister who was murdered for serving those different than she. I'm reminded of how much I take for granted, how blessed I am, and how those who God has placed in harm's way need our prayers for God's safekeeping. So tell me. Have you heard? Do you care?
“Bible reading as struggle”
23 hours ago
Posts
9 comments:
Great post bro. I thought a lot about our sister's slaying yesterday as well. Took me back to china and the guys we know who put it on the line everyday! How weak we must seem to all of them...
i did not know until now.
Thanks, Mike, for this important heads up, and reminder to all of us. We can be so cold, or just not able to take in all the trauma of this world. We need to learn better to think and live as one Body on this earth.
Hlo crossgen!
Mind if I call you crossgen? I'm ashamed at times of my taking things for granted.
Thanks for stopping by,
Mike
Nancy,
I'm glad to provide the link. Many brothers and sisters are killed without our knowledge. I think it's good to think of those we don't hear about as well.
Blessings,
Mike
Hey Ted,
"one Body" - yeah that's right
But I think this part of the Body becomes complacent at times and even forgets there are other parts of the body in pain and in need.
Blessings my friend,
Mike
A few of us were discussing this tragedy and the fact that many of our brothers and sisters around the world still risk their lives serving God. Our thoughts are with Gayle's family and our hope is in Christ. Great is her reward in Christ. May God bless and comfort her family. May we have the courage of our convictions.
I couldn't have said it any better Cheryl. What concerns me is "courage of our convictions". Is that something that still exists (especially in the Western world)?
Mike
I am finding more and more people who do. People who have no idea what they are doing, but trust and follow the Spirit's leading. I hear about more and more people leaving the comforts of home and moving into destitute and poverty-stricken places to be the hands and feet of Christ! Lord, make us part of those numbers!
Post a Comment