Thoughts for another day

August 25, 2008.

Today's verse: Jn. 11:25. Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

I write this verse in context, even as my heart goes out to the people of Orissa, in India right now. It’s a beautiful place, endowed with natural resources beyond the capacity to mine. Yet, it’s one of the poorest in India and I and many other believers, believe it has to do with the evil of massive idol worship and superstition. Orissa houses probably the largest nos. of temples and deities and is a hot-bed of idol worship. That probably is the main reason for its backwardness, not counting its calamitous relationship with nature seen in abundant rain on one side and drought on the other. Besides, the fury of nature consisting of cyclones, floods, etc. is usually spent on Orissa. And though it could be the cradle of agriculture in the country, it lives in utter poverty and misery.

But the reason I write today, reflecting on the above verse is because, before this week is up, many Christians in Orissa, will have their families burnt, their lives lost, their women raped and their children severely beaten. That’s because last Saturday, one of the main figures behind the hate campaign on the Christians (and the key architect behind Graham Staines’ murder) was shot dead. As Christians, we condemn the dastardly attack on this man, as he too was God’s child and should have come to know Christ and His magnificent love, but alas… Anyway, last December, although he was just attacked, a backlash of fury descended on Christians there, who had to leave their huts and flee to the jungles in biting cold and live like dogs amongst the wild animals, reptiles and rodents; all because they carry the name of Jesus Christ. Much tension prevails in Orissa right now and there's great palpable fear in the heart of the Christians there.

They, our brothers and sisters in Christ, do not know what will happen. They do not know if they will see the morrow. If they choose to run, where could they run? They would be hunted like wild boar and destroyed, for they carry no weapons nor do they know why they are targeted! As a Christian, my friend, I beg you to get on your knees and pray for them. Fast too, if you will. Pray, our awesome God will keep them under His pinions and make them experience His Fatherly love in their hour of trial. Also, pray for their tormentors that Jesus’ love will touch their hearts and they will come to know the One and True God. I’m sure God, the Father of all lights who delights in creating beauty in the most dirty places will bring good out of this, and will smile on His people even as He scripts out His glory.