Reversed lens
Reflection 2
God
is just too merciful, I know a lot of us would be wondering why the bad things
happening are still going on, so bad that people are brutally murdered for the
sake of professing Christ, my heart just breaks…
This
is a part 2 of Reflection. As grotesque
as this may sound; I went on Youtube and for some reason I started checking all
the past ISIS beheadings, I am telling you, I broke down and started crying; I
just told God “forgive me father because I haven’t done enough”.
Christians
in the Middle East; their heads are literally being placed on a stake and
decapitated, for what? Just because they love God and profess His name
One
of the interviews on CBN (Christian Broadcasting Network) really caught my
heart. A widow, her husband was part of the 21 male Christians in Egypt that
ISIS beheaded, she narrated; “we hadn’t
seen him in two days and we were so worried, later that day we were shown a
video of their heads being cut off, we all cried, wept and wailed my only joy
was that he never denied Christ… this is what gives me peace. I have not
stopped praying for ISIS that God will forgive them and they’ll come to see the
light”.
O
God! My heart sank (tears won’t just stop flowing) that was coming from a woman
whose husband was murdered for JUST loving God, she must have tested something I
haven’t seen… when the Love of God encapsulates your heart that’s what comes
out, everybody feels the love.
I
felt so empty, inadequate and ashamed of myself when I saw this Christians in
the Middle East doing what they do for God amidst the chaos. They only look up
to the throne of grace, these people are not even sure what tomorrow holds for
them yet they worship God with sooooo much.
Bringing
it home; here in Africa, Nigeria, nobody has ever threatened to put my head on
a stake before. But have I given God everything, I just kept wondering, will I
still keep my faith if that Knife was brought close to my throat? Will I still
keep my faith? I’ve been talking to a lot of people about God’s love and even
professing that I love Him, been praying and even studying His words, but is
that even enough? I’ve been making it personal all along, but I really need you
to ask yourself, if you were in the shoes of one of those brothers whose throat
was slit will you still tell people to love God? Will you still keep the faith?
The
amazing thing about all of this that still struck me was the radiance on the faces
of these 21 young men, nobody backed out…
I’m
not going to write too much, all I need you to do is think about His love. Even
as a Christian that you call yourself are you truly living for Christ? Completely
sold out
People
in the Middle East are getting killed JUST for serving God. That hasn’t deterred
them, they are going strong every day, I don’t know where you are reading from
now but I just want to challenge and ignite something in you- don’t let that
fire wane in you, go all out for God, that widow said something that has been
playing in my head; “I haven’t stopped
praying for ISIS that they will see the light”- there she was praying for
the same very people who killed her husband, made her widowed and her two
lovely kids inevitably became orphans, that can only come from a heart that has
experienced God.
Friends,
you and I have nothing whatsoever stopping us from truly living for Christ, if
you miss heaven today you caused it… forgive people who have hurt you, love freely
like Jesus, extend a hand where it is needed, be the best friend you can ever be,
smile often and be humble, not forgetting to keep a meek spirit, smile again
(laughs), always keep a fellowship with the father. My Jesus can break
addictions, open up your hearts and spirit to Him let Jesus come in and renew
your spirit.
(I’ll
like to pray with you friend)
Thank you
Jesus for the privilege to this, lord we love you, we never want to depart from
your presence o God, Lord we thank you for the grace to be little Jesus’ here
on earth. We pray for the families in the Middle East, continue to hide them in
you Lord, keep the children in good health and meet them at every point of
their needs in Jesus mighty name we pray. Amen!
Love
Itofa
My the Lord have mercy on us
ReplyDeleteWe have a lot to learn from their grounded faith. Persecution isn't something I wish any Christian to go through. God has strengthened us.
ReplyDeleteGod please help us to love you truly and from the depths of our hearts.
ReplyDelete