Would you?

This week I had the opportunity to witness to someone and I used my blog. I told Kim about it and that was that. This morning, I was reflecting on the week and thought about that and I have to admit that I got a little prideful. I love how God keeps my pride in check. He quickly reminded me of a story that I had read to remind me that there is so much more that others have done, so I thought I would share with you this morning.

A few years ago, my former pastor, Buddy Sweet, gave me a book called "Jesus Freak". Now, I'm not a reader but this book was perfect for me. Each chapter was a story about a Christian martyr and was no more than three pages so someone like me can read a story without losing focus.

There was one particular story that stood out about an 8-year old girl in a communist country in Asia. This story didn't take place 100 years ago, this took place in the last 30 years. In this country the only churches that were allowed were state-run churches. But in secret, Christian in-home churches existed. That was the only way people could get together and learn about God because there were so few bibles. Generally, people were too scared to own a bible for fear of retribution from the government.

The government learned about a home-church in a small village so the police raided it one night when they knew there was a meeting. On this night, the police came bursting through the doors to find 10 or so Christian villagers listening to the preacher. When they bursted in the preacher was holding the bible. The police took the bible from the preachers' hand and began to beat him. Then they threw the bible into the middle of the street. They then told the parishioners that if they would just spit on the bible, they could go free.

The people had saw what the police did to the preacher and they knew they would lose their life if they didn't comply with this demand to spit on the bible. So, one by one, including the preacher, the adults and kids filed out of the house in a single file line and spat on the bible.....all but one!

There was an 8-year old girl that was the last in line. When it came her turn to spit on the bible, she got down on her knees in front of the bible. She gently picked the bible up and began to clean the spit and mud off of it. While she was cleaning it she was crying and praying. Her prayer went something like "God, please forgive these people, they're just afraid. Please don't punish them for not knowing how precious your word is".

While she was on her knees cleaning the spit and mud off the bible and while she was praying, the police executed her right in front of her parents. As I read this I cried (right there in Taco Bell on Alcoa Hwy) and asked God "why"? An 8-year old is innocent. Jesus, the bible doesn't mention you starting your ministry until you were 12, why an 8-year old? I don't remember getting an answer, I only remember being extremely convicted about not reading me bible.

My question is would you be like the little girl? Would I? I have more I want to write about the precious word of God but I will do it at another time. Until then, I hope that you take the opportunity to read God's word.

On a side note, please pray for Sam Wallace and his family. Please pray compassionately that God will give them what they need during this time of hurt.

God loves you and I do too!