Persecution

For the past weeks the Wednesday night prayer people have been praying for Pastor Brunson imprisoned in Turkey for his faith and for a 15 year old girl, Leah Sharibu, enslaved for her faith by Boko Haram.  I am reminded of masses of people around the world that love Jesus yet live in poverty, fear, and pain.

I am also reminded that I live a unique life.  Unique in that I am not poor, I do not fear the midnight knock or the filthy prison, nor do I suffer for Jesus.  I am uncommon as a follower of Jesus – and so are you!

I remember that God boldly declared that “all those who live Godly will suffer persecution,” II Timothy 3:12.  I have experienced a few persecutions from bad people and endured a few persecutions simply because I was bad, and yet only a very few.

And the persecutions for living for Jesus have been minuscule.  I think of the time I was called in by the sheriff and threatened with prison because someone had suggested that I might be a threat to some women in the community who were instrumental in sending a community leader to prison. The problem came my way because I pastored a church that stood on the Bible and called people to come out of their religion into the freedom and joy of Jesus.  The dark does not like the light – ever!  False accusations sent the sheriff my way.

I’ve experienced only a couple of other “persecutions.”  I remember the times (most of a semester) a college professor mocked me for my faith in a classroom of peers and a few times fellow employees on the railroad ridiculed me for not joining in their talk.  Yet, my opening point holds – I live in a bubble – I am uncommon as a friend of Jesus for I am not persecuted!

Such a station in life should overwhelm me with gratitude and humility.  I hope it does.  God has been wonderfully good to me – far more than I ever deserve!  I owe Him my all throughout every day whether experiencing sunshine, fog or deep night (figuratively).

What a great, good, glorious, gracious, governing God is mine – is ours!  Thank you, Jesus!