I’m dating myself here, but when I was a kid, I had picture books with clear plastic pages that lifted up to reveal another picture underneath – a picture that might depict a skeleton or cells or the blueprint of something for which the exterior image was on the plastic page. Remember those?
Well, tonight I experienced something like that in real life.
I attended a Hillsong United concert in Madison Square Garden, NYC. The arena was filled to capacity. My gaze swept over the crowds. Along the mid-level were gaping exits to the concourse. And I had a flashback to my visit to the Coliseum in Rome. It was as if a page lifted, and I saw the crumbling ruins.
And my imagination took me 2000 years back in history when our Christian forebears were thrown to the lions in front of cheering crowds. My chest tightened and tears wet my cheeks. Throughout the night, I thought of those saints of old – the ones thrown to the lions, others burned alive, those who fled Jerusalem’s persecution to bring the gospel to the rest of the known world. Their faith and courage both inspired me and convicted me.
Today, I have friends in Nepal who are facing incredible persecution. In September 2018, new legislation outlawed sharing their faith. Aimed at Christians, these dear believers are witnessing increasing persecution at their gatherings. I receive cryptic private emails filled with miracles of God’s protection as they continue to share their stories, yet their lives are in danger every day. Their faith and courage inspires me daily and convicts me as well.
Too often, I take my freedom for granted. Tonight in the middle of New York City, 20,000 mouths sang praises to God, 40,000 hands were raised in worship, all without a thought of danger of any kind. I’m so grateful we live in a country where we can enjoy the freedom of faith our American forebears fought for.
And yet, with this freedom comes complacency. Forget about being willing to die for my faith. Or worse, letting a loved one die if I refused to deny Jesus. How about just being willing to boldly share the gospel and risk offending someone or experiencing ridicule? How often do I keep silent to keep the peace? I don’t believe that we need to necessarily share our faith with everyone. Like pearls before swine, some aren’t able to recognize its value (Matt.7:6). But I know that there are times that I remained silent when I shouldn’t have. My desire to be obedient is beautifully captured in the song we sang tonight, So Will I. (link and lyrics excerpt below)
Let’s be inspired by the courage of the saints of old and those in places around the world where persecution is prevalent. And let’s appreciate the abundant freedoms we have.
“For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
‘He committed no sin,
and no deceit was found in his mouth.’When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.” 1 Peter 2:19-23
So Will I – by Hillsong Worship
If creation still obeys You so will I
If the stars were made to worship so will I
If the mountains bow in reverence so will I
If the oceans roar Your greatness so will I
For if everything exists to lift You high so will I
If the wind goes where You send it so will I
If the rocks cry out in silence so will I
If You gladly chose surrender so will I
I can see Your heart, Eight billion different ways
Every precious one, A child You died to save
If You gave Your life to love them so will I
More on how to discern when to speak and when to keep silent: http://susanpanzica.com/to-speak-or-not-to-speak/
