Just got back from
Chad and
Erin‘s wedding. It was beautiful in every way, most particularly because they are both radical Jesus-followers who will die for their faith if he calls them to it. They met on last year’s
World Race and I think their faith is wonderfully undiluted by the cares of the world.
How about you? I hope if you’re a Jesus follower that you are continually challenged to follow his radical gospel. I hope that you’re finding yourself regularly in the line of fire of your sworn enemy. Life in America is too comfortable. That’s why it is helpful to try and help those for whom the battle is a little more clear-cut.
For example, I disciple a pastor in Pakistan named Emmanuel. I struck up a long-distance relationship with him when a severe earthquake killed 70,000 of his countrymen three years ago. He regularly sponsors evangelistic outreaches and cares for orphans.
Emmanuel usually lets me know before he engages in an outreach, and then once it’s completed, he sends me a report complete with pictures.
It’s never easy over there in that country where they cut off infidels’ heads, but these days it’s getting tougher. Emmanuel just sent me this email:
Dear Dadi Seth,
Greetings in the precious name of Jesus Christ the most high.
Christians living in Pakistan are facing many difficulties, specially
living in the NWFP Province along with the border of Afghanistan.
Taliban have taken over the control of the most of the areas. In this
situation, Believers are forced to accept Islam or Taliban kill them
anywhere without any reason. Many of our Pastors who are working in
those areas have ask us to pray for them as they are facing too much
problems, even Evangelism work is being affected.
Please pray for believers and for all the persecution they are facing
in those areas.
May God Bless you and all you do.
“Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” -2 Timothy 3:12
It puts the struggles I have here in some significant perspective. I whine too much.
This is always convicting for me. I sometimes wonder if I’m not really a radical follower of Christ simply because my life is so easy relative radicals like Emmanuel, Chad and Erin. It’s like these people are on the front line of the fight and I’m back at home pulling for them…