Daniel was thrown into a den of lions because he refused to obey a decree that made it illegal for him to pray to God. Peter was imprisoned and eventually killed for believing in the Christian church and preaching about Jesus Christ.
Even today, there are thousands of people all over the world who put their lives in danger so the love of Jesus can be spread. Last year, I met a woman whose family does this very thing. Followers of Jesus seek refuge in her home because they are risking their lives as they teach the Gospel to seekers of the Christian faith. All the while, she is putting herself in danger by letting these people into her home.
When I think about how they all risk their very lives for their faith, I sometimes question how committed I am to following Jesus. I can tell you right now, I don’t know that I have the kind of commitment any of these people have. So, where does that leave me? Am I still a committed follower of Christ? I think so. I’m putting my faith in a God that I believe calls each of us in different ways.
Last month I wrote about acting out my faith. I think committing to follow Jesus, no matter the cost, is similar to the risk we take when we act out our faith. Both require us to truly listen to God and to act on what He is asking of us. If I act on a nudge from God, the cost may be embarrassment, it may be uncomfortableness, and it may actually risk my life. I think God knows what He is doing when he calls us to action. He knows our strengths and our weaknesses. He knows where we need to stretch ourselves and take, yes, a little risk. We just need to trust.
We are to share God’s love with others as written in Mark 16:15, “He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” – Dee Ann Lord, Family, Children & Youth Coach
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