She Paid The Cost
Growing up, I read many stories of martyrs and those who have been tortured for their faith. I am inspired by their belief, encouraged by their steadfastness, and broken for their suffering. This week I sat in the home of a woman whose story belongs in those same books.
Dark sunglasses and a tight head scarf covered every inch of skin on her face to disguise what was underneath. My team and I sat in her living room as the story this woman’s faith was made known to us.
She was a Hindu woman married to a Hindu man and they had one son. Two years ago, she began to explore the question of who Jesus was, and she accepted Him into her life. She adamantly refused to continue practicing Hinduism, and her husband and the community became furious. She was attacked one night by men in their village and acid was thrown onto her face and body. The skin on her face and chest was completely destroyed and the acid burned out her eyes and eye sockets. As the details of this story came to life, I gazed up to a picture of this women on the wall standing with her son before the attack. They look happy and beautiful. I cant help crying as I look at her now, blind and shamed in her community for the gruesome appearance of her face.
My heart broke for this woman, who for the very same Jesus that I have, has suffered greatly. She sat among us though, not with sorrow or hurt, but at rest in the peace that God had blanketed over her. I was in awe of the delight she seemed to radiate as we visited with her and held her hand as we prayed.
Oh how I long to be filled with the same pleasure of the Lord. I often wonder if my passion for Christ would stand in the midst of horrid torture and pain. This beautiful woman showed me a glimpse of the beauty of suffering for Christ and I thirst to see the same unwavering commitment in my own life.
Two days after the visit to her home, she called the pastor of our village and told him that she had a gift to give the ladies of our team. We traveled back to her home and were each given a beautiful sari that she had hand picked for us.I will bring many beautiful things home from this year, but this gift from a woman who has paid the cost will be my greatest treasure.
