“I don’t want to hear any more talk about God!” I said turning to my partner as he drove, “We have gone over and over this. You can believe what you want but I am good with my life as it is, just leave me alone!” He just smiled and kept his eyes on the road. That irritated me even more. I knew he would never stop. “Enough is enough. He has to go!” I thought while fuming in silence. We drove in that tension until we reached Moab.
Our company had been formed a year before, four guys getting together. Each brought something to the table. But Jack had been essential because he belonged to the church and in Utah without those contacts we wouldn’t be going anywhere. Over that year I had put up with his constant barrage of religious mumbo jumbo and I was not going to put up with it anymore. Even if it meant we lost business I was going to get him removed from the company.
Once we were back in Salt Lake City, I called a meeting of the other partners secretly. Any time we got together alcohol and drugs were available in copious amounts but today I had started early and was already very high by the time the meeting started. I could see they were curious and wondering where Jack was, so I got right into it. “Jack is not here today because I called this meeting about him. I want him out and I want to get it done tonight!” Both stared at me but said nothing. I asked, “Are you going to say something or not?” Bobby spoke first, “John, you know we need Jack’s connections. What are you thinking?” The alcohol and speed were flaming my anger and I said, “I will not have that religious freak in this company any more, it is either him or me. You guys can choose. But I can’t take any more of his pushing Jesus on me day and night. I have fired people before for less than what he is doing. He is out, or I am!” Again, they sat in silence.
For the last couple of weeks, I have been centering my thoughts and writing on what is known to many as the beatitudes. The Gospel of Matthew, chapter 5, verses 3-12. Each are blessings and promises that Jesus challenges us to seek. Each one has been a challenge in my life. Some of them have even been painful as I have looked at how my addictions and disbelief kept me from a life of freedom offered in these blessings. I had so much that needed to be transformation in my life. So many miracles yet more to come.
Praying, thinking, and writing about the first seven verses has opened my eyes to things in my life that are still works in progress. But I know if I trust and am willing, all these promises are possible and that brings me great joy. But now comes the last two and I find myself a little shaky in my boots. In these Jesus tells us that not only will we, as followers of His, be persecuted, but we should find joy in the fact. It is the ultimate test of faith and am I ready? Are you?
Let’s look at the verses, “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:10-12)
To be truthful when I read this, I am not sure I can stand up in the face of persecution Jesus speaks of. And, I do not think any of us can unless we truly accept and belief this, “I have been crucified with Christ and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. And the life now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20) This is where the rubber meets the road! Total surrender, daily, maybe minute by minute. When you and I can accept this we no longer worry about persecution but now can only think about salvation. And not ours but those still needing to know Jesus and His saving power. We become like He who gave Himself for me. It can all start today, this minute! But how?
It all starts with prayer. I never testify without speaking of its power. I would not be here without the prayers of many. And I would not grow in faith without it daily. It is the source of strength and it is our open communication line with God Himself. To find the surrender needed prayer at the foot of the cross is number one. Secondly is the Word of God. Do you know how amazing this book is? Is there any other like it? Surviving more than six millenniums unaltered. It has been the source of strength for martyrs and that strength is what we will need to today, “Your Word is a lamp to my feet, a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105) To stand surrendered and ready, prayer and the Word of God has the power we need. Thank you, Lord!
I was once a persecutor of followers of Jesus. I failed in removing my partner, but made his life as much hell as I could. He stayed faithful. It was not the first or the last time I harassed and harangued Christians or deprived them of a worldly goods or dignity. I have a forgiving God. Who now calls me to stand for Him with the fervor of my persecution. I am willing. And with prayer and the strength of His Word, I can know the promise of the today’s verses are assured. This world is not my home, I look forward to the kingdom of God. I pray I will see you there.
Blessings John
11/10/17