True Grit.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011
True Grit. We so often allow ourselves to fall into the false assumption that serving Christ is hard today. We look at all the “trials and tribulations” of a servant of Christ in our generation in our country, and often we walk away discouraged. We think about the students that are laughed at or made fun of for standing up for Christ. We think of the co-workers that want to have nothing to do with us because we aren’t ashamed of our relationship with God. We even hear of folks whose spouses walk away because they’ve sold out to God too much. And we think this is the tough life.
He woke up this morning without his parents. Last night they were taken by government soldiers because they owned a Bible. He’s alone now, and doesn’t know what he’ll do. An eight year old shouldn’t have to live this reality. But this is the hand he’s been dealt. And he’ll stay true to the God his parents taught him so much about, no matter what.
She’s not seen or spoken to her parents or family in about 6 years now. You see, about 6 years ago she was introduced to Christ by a missionary in her country, and she made the decision to give her life to Him. The ramifications of that decision were harder than she expected. Her family not only didn’t approve of her decision to leave the Muslim faith to be a Christian, but her own father attempted to kill her for becoming a deserter of allah. She ran away, and knows that she’s all but dead to them now.
He’s going to Bible study in just a few minutes. It won’t be in a church building. It won’t even be in a public, advertised location. He’s going to a Bible study in a family’s home, but this isn’t the kind of “home group” we American Christians are used to. He’s going to a secret home Bible study because their church isn’t a government registered, recognized Chinese church. Therefore, they refuse to allow the national government to limit what they can and cannot preach, but rather stay true and faithful to the Bible and message of Christ. If they are found, they’ll be imprisoned and very possibly tortured.
So today – I’ll stand, even if someone laughs at me. I’ll stand even if someone disowns me. I’ll stand even if it hurts a “friendship.” I’ll stand even if it’s not comfortable. Because when it’s all said and done, my stand is relatively painless in this land of the free and home of the brave. My brothers and sisters in Christ elsewhere on planet Earth truly understand sacrifice for Him. They’ve got true grit. I can only pray for that deep of a passion for Him.



That’s just a thought, and I welcome yours.
Until next time,
blake

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