courage and rejoicing

Recently, I read 1 Peter with totally new eyes. This happened after a friend who is studying apologetics at Oxford informed me that the book is written by Peter to a persecuted group of believers. It amazes me that it was to this audience, within the context of extreme persecution, Peter wrote an observation of this community of friends,

"Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy..."

Then, today I felt a draw to read Philippians. I read it in a few translations, just wanting to soak up the meaning. Once again, I was left in awe. Paul is in jail, writing this letter to a group of people whom he loves deeply and can't wait to see again. Still, his time in jail is spent in joy and purpose, with a heart fully alive. He writes to his friends in Philippi,

"Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters,that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear."

Challenging does not begin to describe what I feel when reading the above passages. These are the people who took Jesus seriously. Who, because they loved Him deeply, they did what He commanded. They believed even in the face of death. And maybe their joy came from a place of freedom from death's grip--a revelation of eternity.

I recently heard a story about a girl my age who knew that God told her to go to a persecuted part of the Middle East. She told her pastor, who objected immediately because he was concerned for her safety. However, she knew in her heart that this wasn't just a small impression that could be easily forgotten. She was being sent. So with the prayers of her church, she went to this nation and set up a Bible school. Already a huge harvest has come from her bravery. She came home in one piece, but she went fully knowing that she may never make it back alive.

Courage.

That's the kind of courage that I want in my life. Where I can say with Paul, as he sits in that jail cell writing to his friends,

" I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me."