I was reading one of my VOM magazines (Voice Of The Martyrs - a Christian organization that supports Christian martyrs all of the world), this morning and was struck so profoundly by an article written by a young man named Brad. He and a group of other college age Christians traveled to the jungles of Colombia to help local believers share the gospel of Jesus. He stated that he was fearful and didn't know what to expect, knowing how many Colombian Christians were being killed there on a regular basis. (All I could think of while reading this was how very brave these young people were!) After some time there and meeting several of the Colombian Christian martyrs, Brad wrote...
"I met a man named Luis Carols, an 18 year old evangelist who braves the most dangerous areas of Colombia to spread God's Word. Luis risks his life to tell other young people about Christ every day. He knows he may not be alive next week, let alone next year, but he is willing to give his life for Jesus. I often feel really scared to tell people about Jesus in Australia where I live. I look at people like Luis who are willing to risk their lives, and then I look at myself struggling to step out in faith in the smallest things. Sometimes I feel so small. I thank God that He chooses us weak people to spread the gospel. I am grateful that lives are changed not by our persuasive words but by the Spirit's power. I look at Luis and realize he is no superhero. He is just an ordinary guy following an EXTRAORDINARY God. It gives me great hope that God can use me powerfully too. The call to follow Jesus is by definition a costly call - we must deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Him. Whereas we often seek comfort, security, wealth, greatness and power, Jesus calls us to forsake all this and trust in Him as the only path to life and joy. Colombian evangelists present a fantastic example of what it looks like to follow Jesus, bearing the cross with joy."
"I met a man named Luis Carols, an 18 year old evangelist who braves the most dangerous areas of Colombia to spread God's Word. Luis risks his life to tell other young people about Christ every day. He knows he may not be alive next week, let alone next year, but he is willing to give his life for Jesus. I often feel really scared to tell people about Jesus in Australia where I live. I look at people like Luis who are willing to risk their lives, and then I look at myself struggling to step out in faith in the smallest things. Sometimes I feel so small. I thank God that He chooses us weak people to spread the gospel. I am grateful that lives are changed not by our persuasive words but by the Spirit's power. I look at Luis and realize he is no superhero. He is just an ordinary guy following an EXTRAORDINARY God. It gives me great hope that God can use me powerfully too. The call to follow Jesus is by definition a costly call - we must deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Him. Whereas we often seek comfort, security, wealth, greatness and power, Jesus calls us to forsake all this and trust in Him as the only path to life and joy. Colombian evangelists present a fantastic example of what it looks like to follow Jesus, bearing the cross with joy."
This will be such a process for me over the next 8 months, to change my thinking from what I need to do to feel safe, comfortable, secure and financially stable into denying self, taking up the CROSS and following HIM. Help me Lord to be more like these amazing, brave, FAITHFUL people who risk their lives every day just to serve you. Lord, they have to hide your Word and bring it out only at night with flashlights, but do it anyway because they crave your Word...I am humbled and I am convicted. Amen
sue
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