[Real Life] Struggles StrengthenSample

Abundant Life

I love this quote by Scottish philosopher Thomas Carlyle: “No pressure, no diamonds.” 

In the Christian walk, there is going to be pressure. Jesus said, “They will treat you this way because of My name...” So, abide to endure. 

In 2005, Chinese officials from the Public Security Bureau invaded a Sunday school room in a church. They found 30 kids meeting inside and they herded them into their vans. As the children went into the vans, they began to sing. Upon arrival at the police station, the children marched bravely into the interrogation room, still singing to the Lord. The Chinese officers tried to force upon them to write “I do not believe in Jesus” 100 times. Instead, the children wrote, “I believe in Jesus today. I will believe in Jesus tomorrow. I will believe in Jesus forever.” When their parents came to pick them up, they were supposed to renounce Christ to be able to take their children home. Some of them did, but one widow refused to deny Jesus. The officers told her, “If you don’t deny Jesus, we won’t release your sons.” She said, “I guess you’ll just have to keep them, because without Jesus there is no way I can raise them.” The officers allowed her to take her twin sons home. 

How do we sail boldly into the wind to make a difference in the world we live in? 

We hide in His name. We abide to endure and to become genuine disciples of Jesus Christ—believers who follow His disciplines. Then we will become fearless leaders in politics, arts, NYC, Washington DC, the oil industry, and medicine; leaders who are genuine followers and who will stand strong. If Christian leaders trim their sails, what will happen in our world? But if the fruits of the Spirit are our calling card, and we are politicians, CEOs, moms and dads who are not afraid to sail into the wind, but who sing in the midst of persecution... the world will know Christ. 

Do not feel sorry for Jesus, He is intentionally going to the cross. When they mock Him as a King, He knows He is a King. The world lifts up pride and mocks prayer. It mocks purity and lifts up homosexuality. It mocks truth and embraces lies. It mocks life and loves death. Look at the things we do as a culture. Choose the abundant life that Jesus came to give us.