Two weeks ago I was asked to help with a "crisis debrief" for some believers from my part of the world who were almost killed in a neighboring country because of their faith. As we walked through the events together of what happened, I was deeply impacted by the price they have paid for their faith.
You see, these people were severely tortured for days on end in their home country five years ago when they were found by authorities to have some copies of the Jesus film. They were forced to sign every single earthly possession they had over to the president of their country, and they barely escaped with their lives. After living for almost a year with falsified documents, constantly fearing for their lives, they are now living as refugees in a Western country. But they are waiting for the day when they become citizens so that they can go back to the part of the world they came from. They are passionate about seeing people in their home country come to Christ and are even risking their lives now by taking trips back to that part of the world. All the conveniences and ease that the West has offered them has not captured their hearts. And all the suffering they have experienced at the hand of their homeland has not hardened them.
During the few intense days I was with these people, two thoughts entered my mind over and over:
- I have given up NOTHING for my faith and don't even know the meaning of the word "sacrifice."
- THIS is who the author of Hebrews had in mind when he wrote, "...those of whom the world was not worthy." (Heb 11:38)
Theresa Olive
Amen.
A powerful post, Theresa Olive.
Posted by: MBMc | July 18, 2006 at 01:11 PM
Theresa,
I agree with you-I also feel like I have no experience of true sacrifice. What do you think it is that gives these people such a willingness to give up everything for their faith? Is it part of their nature (a gift), a result of their circumstances or something in their spiritual discipline that encourages them?
Posted by: Philomena | July 18, 2006 at 01:16 PM
Hello friends,
Just an "editor's note" on Theresa Olive's posts and comments.
Given T.O.'s geographic location, she doesn't have great internet access, and has some security concerns to be mindful of--as you might have gathered if you read her friends' ordeal in this most recent post.
As such, please don't be offended if she can't reply to comments timely, or at all. I do know she appreciates your words, as do I.
You can get a little more insight into what she does in her first post: "My Life as a Wife, Mother & Missionary" which can be found by scrolling down to near the bottom of the page.
I'll be sure to pass along any comments I get from her.
My non-editor comment is: can you imagine HER feeling she's given up nothing? That can't be right! If I've given up less than her, I might be able to be at zero, but we certainly can't both be (maybe Philomena and I can occupy the same box, but T.O. can't be there with us!) Just shows you how much we have, and how much others give.
Beautiful.
Thomas More
Posted by: Thomas More | July 18, 2006 at 01:35 PM
Philomena, in looking at Philippians 3 I think we know Christ more deeply when we share in His sufferings. If we walk in faith, as these people I spoke of have, the more deeply we experience His sufferings, the more fully we know Him. (Phil 3:10) And to know Him more is to love Him more. Paul said he counted ALL THINGS rubbish compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Jesus--and for His sake Paul (like my friends) lost everything. Most of us Westerners miss out on this, I believe. Very few of us have had to really suffer or sacrifice for Him.
Posted by: Theresa Olive | July 19, 2006 at 10:59 AM
If I may ask, what was the dominant religeon that persecuted these people? What country was it?
Posted by: stoli | July 20, 2006 at 03:43 PM
Theresa,
What do you think Paul means when he speaks of sharing in Christ's sufferings? Even this morning, some friends and I were discussing this topic. When I read Romans 8:16-18 and Philippians 3:9-11, it sounds like the sufferings are more of the martyr/faith persecution nature than the everyday trials we Westerners have. Will we experience the fullness of co-heirship with Christ if we have not suffered for our faith as your friends have?
Posted by: Red | July 20, 2006 at 06:09 PM
Stoli and Red-
Just a reminder on my "Editor's Note" a couple comments above about T.O.'s ability to reply to comments. TO's limited access and some security issues probably prevent a full response to Stoli's inquiry, though not to Red's--if access allows it.
Posted by: Thomas More | July 20, 2006 at 06:39 PM