Her plan was to finish out her short term missionary endeavor with these missionaries, return home to the states briefly, and come back in a few months to start her new term. Suddenly, without warning, the missionary home was attacked by men, armed with machetes, who tied them up, robbed them, beat them and abused them. The young woman didn't go into graphic details, but it seemed that she had been raped. Yes... how tragic! They were all immediately moved to a safe place for a time of healing, recovery and restoration.
I must admit, as the girl was testifying, she seemed incredibly healed and whole. Surely a miracle! What astounded me was what she said next. In her personal prayer time afterwards, she felt as if God asked her,
"Did you really mean what you said when you told me
you'd lay down your life for me at any cost?
What if that incident was the only time those men
would ever hear the name of Jesus?"
Like probably many of you, I found it very difficult to wrap my arms around this one. Really? Where's God in all that? But as I began to think about it, I began to realize that there have been many who have been brutally mistreated and even killed for their faith. Take the Apostle Paul for example. Here's what he says in 2 Corinthians 11:24-27...
"Three times I was beaten with rods,
once I was stoned,
three times I was shipwrecked,
I spent a night and a day in the open sea,
I have been constantly on the move.
I have been in danger from rivers,
in danger from my own countrymen,
in danger from Gentiles,
in danger in the city,
in danger in the country,
in danger at sea; and in
danger from false brothers.
I have labored and toiled and
have often gone without sleep;
I have known hunger and thirst and
have often gone without food;
I have been cold and naked."
We live in this amazing country called the United States of America. We often have no real understanding of how blessed we really are. In fact, we're actually pretty spoiled in blessings. A friend told me recently that when she came back from a missions trip she attended in Greece, the team returning after her was stopped, questioned and almost thrown in jail. Really? In Greece? Apparently Greece has a governmental religion, (Greek Orthodox), and speaking against it in any way could end you up in jail, in many places, even put to death. "Wake up!" my friend told me. "Most countries don't have the religious freedom that the USA has." Wow -- I didn't realize that! Thousands of people, around the world, each day, are tormented, jailed, abused and killed for their faith in Christ! Thousands!
Talk about putting things in perspective. Do I fully understand what happened to that young missionary? No I don't. But what a courageous young lady she is, not to mention... serious about laying down her life for the sake of the Gospel of Christ. Did I mention that she's still going back to do that year of missionary work with those same missionaries? She said that the devil came back and said to her, "You better not go back there! You're not safe! You're God won't protect you. I'll come after you again!" She shut the door to those voices, turned her heart towards God and said,
"Yes Jesus, I meant what I said!"
So let me bring all that down to my little world.
When I think of some of the discomforts I've faced in answering the Call of Christ on my life... some of the inconveniences... some of the humbling situations... things that I thought were so bad... so difficult... so hard to wrap my arms around -- Well, what can I say now? They are nothing! They don't matter! They are insignificant! They are such a small price to pay in taking a stand for Jesus. I have it easy. And with that, I am closing the door to the voices that want to tell me otherwise, and saying...
"Yes Lord, I meant what I said! --
I surrender all! Send me! All for Jesus!
Use me, oh God! I'll do whatever it takes!
I will follow you! Take this world, but give me Jesus!
Oh! that souls would come to know You, Lord!"
Oh! that souls would come to know You, Lord!"
As I kick off my RED shoes for the night and crawl into my bed, in this wonderful home, in the peaceful community in which I live, I am ever so THANKFUL to God for how good I have it. I'm also humbled and repentant of my erroneous perspective of things concerning Christ and the Call of God upon me. Talk about a reality check!
Most of all, I'm lifting up prayers for that young woman and the missionaries she is working with. I don't know their specific names, but God does. I'm praying for their safety. I'm praying for blessing and favor in their lives. I'm praying that God will do special things just for them -- even miracles!
Oh that His Presence will be continually with them in Magnificent Measure!
Most of all, I'm lifting up prayers for that young woman and the missionaries she is working with. I don't know their specific names, but God does. I'm praying for their safety. I'm praying for blessing and favor in their lives. I'm praying that God will do special things just for them -- even miracles! Oh that His Presence will be continually with them in Magnificent Measure!
Good night, dear missionaries. God's hand be upon you!
Gail
