This past weekend, we took an overnight trip to Laos. Our Thailand visas were soon to expire so a quick border crossing was required to lengthen our stay. We enjoyed a wonderful afternoon at a ridiculously beautiful waterfall. We swam, jumped, sang, yelled, & laughed. It was completely refreshing & one of my favorite memories on the race so far.
The next morning we attended a church service. What at the time seemed like an ordinary Sunday morning, later became the foundation for a notion that has since consumed my thoughts. You see, Laos is a closed country, meaning the people are not allowed to worship freely. There are many constraints, stipulations, & consequences imposed upon those who chose Christianity. So there I sat, in a pew next to women who live each day at risk of persecution & I could barely keep my eyes open.
I left that morning feeling nothing out of the ordinary & gave no thought to the weight of the situation as I merrily endured the few hour trek back across the Thai border. A couple mornings later I was reading through Colossians when something caught my attention- the last verse of the book.
“I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.”
I put down my coffee mug & read the verse again.
Remember my chains. I read the line over & over again, mesmerized by its symbolism.
Paul wrote the book of Colossians from prison. He was imprisoned for his faith; but he did not stop ministry. Even in his state of confinement, even though he faced persecution, he persevered; he remained faithful & continued the work the Lord had set before him.
My mind was instantly brought back to the church in Laos. Its members whom, in the face of opposition, choose to gather & worship, choose to live proclaiming the name of the Lord. It is their boldness, their obedience that will bring light & change to Laos, just as the Lord used Paul to bring His word to the people of Corinth, Philippi, Ephesus, & Colossae.
There are countless people around the world who live in chains- I’ve encountered a number in just a short 5 months. They are chained by their families, friends, governments, & cultures. They are destined to live a life of oppression & darkness; but they persevere. It’s awe inspiring. It’s convicting.
I am free. I live where I want. I dress how I want. I can marry who I want. I can work in a job I enjoy. And most of all, I can worship God has I please. I was born into a life of freedom; yet I’ve lived a life of imprisonment. I’ve held myself back from a sold out life of faith. I’ve been complacent, lukewarm, & at times, even apathetic.
When you are a member of an underground church in Laos or a persecuted prophet like Paul, there is no room for complacency. You’re in or you’re out. I think there is a lot to learn from the persecuted of this world.
