When I close my eyes or stare out the window on this snowy day, I see them. Orange jumpsuits kneeling on the shore. Black-masked men standing behind them. I see beautiful faces of sons, brothers, fathers, husbands, boyfriends, uncles, cousins, nephews. And, each one reflects that one word Holy Spirit whispered to me many years ago…
ENDURANCE
I don’t like the word. Endure. Hang on. Persevere. Stand strong. Be brave. Have courage. Do it afraid. I’m a walking thesaurus for the word – because it’s been in me far too long. It wasn’t a “oneword” for a year – it was a nagging, piercing word Spirit shout-whispered in my little ‘s’ spirit.
The endurance of the saints.
That’s me.
That’s you, if you are a Christ follower. Blood-bought. Spirit-filled. Jesus lover. Yes, He calls us saints.
…of whom the world was not worthy…
The 21 saints.
One moment on knees.
The very next moment before the throne.
You can bet Jesus was standing for them the way He stood for Stephen.
Their white robes waiting.
Their faces fixed on Him.
Well done, my good, faithful, and enduring servants.
Yes, Lord.
Thank you honey. We are in a true fight, a spiritual fight for our Lord. Its not easy, its hard, but in the end we have Jesus. Praying that I stand for my Precious Lord. Praying for the families of these precious men, and now they have Jesus!!!
Yes, they do, HM.
Well said. It’s so hard to imagine the evil. I know God was with them in those afraid moments.
Kari, yes He was.
Wow…this is so powerful. It puts everything else we deal with in perspective. The co-worker who thinks I’m wimpy because I won’t use deceptive practices, the mom who looks down on me because I won’t let my children engage in certain activities, the family member who doesn’t understand why I try to always be forgiving…it’s nothing. Not in the shadow of what others go through. Thank you
Barbara, although the things you list are our “real life” but I think it always wise to have the greater picture to compare the minutia with.
Such a disturbing story. Not only because of the actual murders of Christians, but it also makes me pause and ask, “Would I be recognized as a Christian–enough so that others would want to kill me because of it?”
Jenny, disturbing on many counts.
Thank you for this post, my heart has been so grieved but I know He is Faithful and True!
Christina, we grieve but we must hold on to HOPE.
Thank you for these words; I haven’t been able to put my feelings into any sort of understandable words. You, and others I have read, do so eloquently, and I appreciate them!
Thanks for sharing.
These are hard things, Barbara.
Amen sister! I agree wholeheartedly. It reminds me of a post I wrote a few years ago titled “That We May All be One!” I truly think God wants us to be one with each other.
Tara, as believers we must be united in spirit.
Great post. Thanks for sharing this story and reminding me how blessed I truly am. We have to endure on and it may be hard and it may be a lot of work, but our struggles are likely nothing like what others face.
Amanda, I know you have looked evil in its face during your tour of duty. I pray I am brave.