Suffering in Context

“I just don’t know what to do,” I complained to my friend, telling how one person known for starting me on the crazy cycle was acting up again.  “It’s making me go cuckoo.”  Silence.  Agh!  The madness of having a smart phone that is always smart and only sometimes a working phone.  I put the device down, frustrated and consumed by my overwhelming problems.

The next morning, I picked up a copy of the Voice of the Martyrs, where I learned of a young woman’s plight.  Asia Bibi shared the love of Christ with fellow Pakistani workers.  The message cost her everything.  Imprisoned for blasphemy, she no longer enjoys the comforts of home, the sweet embrace of her husband, or the uplifting laughter of their children.  Instead, she sits in a jail cell, hoping her death sentence will be overturned. 

Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness—the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people.”  Colossians 1:24-26

When I read these verses, I thought about writing on God’s purpose in suffering or His promise to work all things together for good.  Then I remembered how enmeshed I became in problems this past week and weighed them against the true heartaches and desperation of those around the world who are imprisoned, tortured and killed for their faith. 

I can’t keep the tears from streaming down my cheeks as I think about the courage it took for a woman to share her faith in her small village.  I want to reach out to the other side of the world and say, “I will pray—pray for your family, pray for your freedom, pray for the message.”  If you want to join me in praying for and encouraging Asia or other imprisoned believers, go to http://www.prisoneralert.com/pprofiles/vp_prisoner_197_profile.html