I'm a pastor in a country where Christians are persecuted. I've buried two church members killed for their faith. I'm afraid all the time. Should I keep the church open? Am I endangering people?
John's word to the church at Smyrna is direct: 'Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor's crown.'
I'm not noble. I'm terrified. But there's something about that word - be faithful - that isn't asking me to be brave. It's asking me to show up and keep loving Jesus and my community. That I can do. Afraid, but faithful.
I'm training the younger leaders to continue if something happens to me. I'm documenting the faith of our community. I'm not passive in the face of persecution, but I'm also not fighting back with violence. I'm witnessing. And witnessing is its own form of power.
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