Warnings from the last generation

Today, not too many people know who Richard Wurmbrand is.  But 40 years ago, his name was much more well known.  Richard was a Jewish Romanian who came to Christ.  Persecuted for his faith, eventually kidnapped, a ransom was paid to get him out from under Communism.  Working in England, and then in the USA, Richard’s ministry was to reveal to the world what was happening in closed countries.  He became the founder of a ministry you probably have heard of – The Voice of the Martyrs.

I was looking at this little booklet from so many years ago.  It was Richard’s attempt to prepare Canadians for something they weren’t ready for – life without freedom to obey and worship God.  In his day, he wasn’t aware of any college or seminary that offered practical teaching on how to live under persecution.

Of course today the world has changed a lot.  Richard was picturing a Communist Canada – something few born after me consider.  Another thing has changed – today there are practical courses on persecution being taught in various parts of the world.  Techniques for jumping out of windows, for dealing with kidnapped friends, for showing love in a hostile situation.

I would like to believe that the church in Canada is becoming a little more aware that freedom is being lost around the world.  Yes, there are good things happening.  Technology has allowed us to reach places more easily.  Countries that were closed for years have opened.  At least, for now.  But as the Word of God has rushed into the vacuum, I believe we’re going to find that the places that still need to be reached are the hardest.  They’re the places that will require the most sacrifice.  The places that will cost the most money.  And the most lives.  And perhaps freedom even in Canada isn’t as secure as many believe.  Yes, things have changed.

We need to remember what the apostle Paul taught again and again.  “We didn’t want any of you to be discouraged by all these troubles.  You knew we would have to suffer, because when we were with you, we told you this would happen.  And we did suffer, as you well know.” (1Th 3:3-4)

Suffering may be different for all of us.  I don’t want to compare my “suffering” with the violence many have experienced.  But in Scripture, suffering for the sake of Christ wasn’t presented as something we might run into, depending on the political situation.  It was something that would happen.  Maybe our attitude that it might happen is keeping us from plunging into what God has called us to.  Maybe we’ve blocked off roads in our lives, just because there are easier roads to take.  We never even consider that God might be leading us to do that.  So we miss out on power and blessing and transformation that God had in store for us.

God, give us the strength to make our lives a sacrifice, to follow where You lead, to trust Your love, to believe in Your power.  The world has changed, but it’s still following the wrong path.  Jesus, build your Church.  Father, let us all be a part.