Comfortable Living

I once read in a magazine called Voice of the Martyrs about a man in China whose house church was facing all kinds of persecution. The Voice of the Martyrs magazine is published all over the world for Christians with stories of hope among persecution and with ways to pray for other countries. The interviewer from the magazine asked the man how people in America can be praying for house churches in China. The man responded, “Stop praying for persecution in China to end, for it is through persecution that the church has grown”. This statement caught me off guard, but not as much as what he said next, “We, in fact, are praying that the American church might taste the same persecution, so revival would come to the American church like we have seen in China”.

This man experienced things that I can’t even comprehend. People would make handmade bombs and throw them at his house, his life and family’s lives were in constant danger, his friends he had before he began to follow Christ had abandoned him and yet he still continued to worship and bring others to his house church.

At the time I don’t think I understood exactly what this man was saying. I understood that when you fight for something, you grow more rooted in your belief and alliance of what you’re fighting for. I applied that to the persecution in the Christian church by thinking when we fight for our faith, we believe in God more.

And now I see it goes so much deeper! Persecution and trials are a test to see if deep down your trust is truly in God. When your life is in danger – where do you turn? Do most of us in America even know how we would answer that question? If someone or something threatens your life because of what you believe – would you turn away?

And here’s what challenges me the most: Comfort. Comfort is the enemy of my spiritual life. Once I get into a routine, without realizing it, I start to rely on the routine. I rely on my job, I rely on my car to get me to the job, I rely on my friends, my family etc. When do I have the opportunity to really rely on God? (Definition of rely: To be dependent for support, help, or supply). I have such a comfortable life!

Now, I want you to know that I’m not wishing persecution on anybody. All I’m asking is that when you do face trials – use that time as an opportunity to rely more on God and grow deeper in your relationship with Him. Also, recognize all the gifts and freedoms we’ve been so blessed with! God is so good – don’t take what we have for granted.