One Way to Get Yourself in Trouble with People

It was almost as instantly as I posted on Facebook, “I got my visa, I am headed to China,” that the persecution started coming. Messages flooding the crevasses, empty of faith within me.

And faith was never meant to have crevasses.  Empty space.

The holes in our souls always needing to be filled with, something.  Or they will be filled with lies. Lies that expand under heat.  And shatter a heart trying to beat….for Him.

Yet, they were there.  Those empty places.  Looking for something.  Looking for someone to fill them. Because they hadn’t yet let the light of Jesus in them.

And though I try to justify the offenses.  Saying….

• They didn’t mean to.  
• Things weren’t as they seemed to be.  
• At least they are open to talk about Jesus through what I am doing.  

The truth is, words sting.  And I am allergic to bees.

So, I pray for grace. That my words that offer life or death…might offer life.  Or remain…..silent.

Because I know what it’s like to slay with words.  And I have tasted the bitterness of a life desperate to be filled by “man”.

And both hurt.  Somehow.  Somewhere along the way….Even if we don’t see it in this life.

So, I wait days before answering.  Silence wiser than even a dash of flesh rising.

For like leaven, flesh can take over, like cancer, start spreading…Until there is so much everywhere that it takes lots of the Word and even more grace, to cut it out.

And I have been trying so hard to be cancer free. Lately.

After silent.  Thoughtful.  Prayer…..

I defend the gospel.  Through a letter.  Yet, they keep coming.  The accusers.  The doubters.  The haters of good works.  The unbelievers.

And why when there are people attacking one another for the sake of freedom of speech, spreading hate, bigotry, creating wars in their own families….

Do people pinpoint the innocent?  Does it make people feel better to have someone to blame?  

Or is it that the enemy always wars against anything God is doing?  Should we expect persecution, our badge of honor that confirms we are doing, exactly what God has calls us to?

And how it might be easier, to sit back.  Enjoy my curled up self in a couch reading the gospel, than to actually stand up, “go” and live like He has asked us to.  

But, I refuse to hide in this shell-like human form.  I refuse to lie down in dead Christianity. Lifeless religion.

So I will stand up. War.  Walk forward in the fullness of this calling….as long as I have breathe….

Regardless of what people say.

Each of my days.  Praying.  That the offense of a life lived for Jesus will eventually rub people the wrong way….

Until an invisible God becomes a Living Savior.  Until they see so much love that it draws them toward freedom….


Because I too know what it’s like to be there in their cage of shame and suffering.

And when we have been there.  We can love them beyond the bars….even if they persecute us.

While praying, “God, give us a heart to love them.  For they know not what they do.”

• For who knows which Saul’s are waiting….to be Pauls?  
• Which offenders today will be defenders, tomorrow?
• Who knows who might have a Damascus Road experience? This week? Or tonight as they sleep?
• Who knows which one’s will be converted as they simply witness God’s people, walking in silent obedience.  

Yes, I will love those who assult a God who at one time took my criticism, my verbal beating too…..long before I really knew Him.

So, I pray for those who persecute.  Ask for grace, wisdom, and humility.  To speak only words of love, offering a life that shows them Jesus……

While still.  Tenaciously.  Fervently.  Desperately.  Advancing.  The Kingdom…..

As long as I have breathe.