Invocation
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Word
“‘For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? For what can a man give in return for his soul?’” Mark 8:36-37
Meditation
Today’s meditation is written by Koleen Barnes.
I feel like I need to start by saying that I do not feel qualified to write about persecution. I have been very fortunate to live in a place where my beliefs don’t put me in danger. I have never been afraid that someone will find out that I am a Christian and hurt me. That being said, I do know a thing or two about keeping my beliefs quiet.
Growing up in America, we learn that we have freedom of speech and religion very early, and we are taught about it often. We have protections in place to keep the persecution that plagued early Christians from also happening to us. We haven’t had to fear for our lives or the safety of our family. Recently, though, I do feel like the Christians I know, myself included, do a fair amount of hiding.
I don’t know if it has always been this way, or perhaps I am just noticing it, but somewhere along the way it seems that a very skewed perception of the everyday Christian got tied in with politics. Somehow, after growing up and signing that I was a C-H-R-I-S-T-I-A-N, the word Christian, now, somehow now feels negative. Instead of the word Christian being synonymous with the love and acceptance I feel from God, I now worry that the word Christian means I will be perceived in a negative light. I fear that it is more closely tied with words like “radical,” “unaccepting,” and “close minded.” Because of this, I find myself practicing a modern day version of hiding. I notice myself muting my beliefs in public settings.
I keep a framed quote from one of my favorite Christian poets on my desk at work, but no obviously quoted Bible verses. I wear a small cross necklace, yes, but I find myself editing my language in front of coworkers. Instead of saying someone is “a friend from church”, they are simply “a friend.” Plans for a church retreat weekend may instead be “meeting up with some friends.”
When we talk about the early church, persecution is a large part of it. Statistically speaking, being a child of God meant you had a pretty rough road ahead. It amazes me that despite what was happening to them, these early leaders of our faith kept moving forward and kept spreading the message that the love God had shown them.
I know that talking about church at the watercooler pales in comparison to preaching a sermon when you know you will be jailed after, but I also think it takes a new kind of bravery. A social and spiritual bravery. I like to think that if we are brave enough, brave like those that came before us, we can slowly start to show people that Christianity isn’t a bad word or a label we have to run from. By loving others and showing them the light we feel through our faith, we can change the perception and step out of the darkness we have been hiding in. By being ourselves and letting God shine through us, and changing the little things, like casually mentioning our church friends at work, others will slowly start to see his light, too.
Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank you for your steadfast love. Give us the courage to shine your love brightly among our friends and neighbors. Amen.
For the Mission of God Through the Church
- Give us, who are your sent ones, your compassion for your lost ones.
- Keep us from becoming so preoccupied with ourselves that we lose our sense and purpose of being on your mission.
- Preserve us from the paralysis of fear. Help us glory in nothing save in the cross of Jesus Christ.
- For missionaries in hard-to-reach places around the world.
- For Christians who are living under intense persecution, who risk their lives for the name of Jesus Christ.
Benediction
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. (II Cor. 13:14)