Due to current events and the publicized persecution of Christians around the world I dedicate this blog post to all who are concerned for my safety while on mission. While I respect the position of some who have objection to my world travel during this climate of hostility I also know I serve a big God who has protected me and shown great attentiveness to the details of my well-being. I am going to share with you some miraculous moments that I hope will inspire a great response of faith.
It was while working my last job that I first experienced persecution due to my outward expression of the indwelling Christ. For by His likeness I was despised and rejected. My boss, the program manager was forever plotting, scheming and devising ways to jeopardize my career. On a typical workday like any other I went about the business of preparing lessons and setting up a station for the projects to commence. Deep inside I heard that still small voice of the Lord tell me to stop everything and instead reconcile all the accounting for the program, prepare a report of expenses and sales as well as clean up the inventory spreadsheet. It was not often I attended to these tasks, I objected in my heart because these responsibilities were dull in comparison to the much more delightful aspects to the job. However, I obediently heeded the call to hop to it. A few hours later as the paperwork was coming off the printer the assistant director walked in after his 160 mile trip from headquarters. He said he would be ready to meet with me shortly. It was then that I looked bewilderingly at my boss. I had not been informed of his visit. She asked me if she told me to prepare for his visit because she was shocked I completed the work that was needed for it. I just exclaimed “No, you did not but God did!”
It was months ago I had the privilege of sitting at the feet of an elderly man who spent over 30 years as a missionary in the African bush. He shared with me this story…After a long day of travel, with many unexpected stops along the road he arrived late at border patrol. Being as it was dusk he was denied passage because they were closing for the evening. He opted to sleep in his car until morning when he could cross over. During the night he was awakened by a loud voice saying “Do Not Go!” It was so near and clear that he jumped out of the car searching for the man who had spoken to him. There was no one so he went back to sleep. Again, he heard the voice say “Go Home Now!” He still didn’t see anyone nearby but felt an obligation to obey; he left and drove many hours back home. His wife was curious why he arrived without accomplishing his mission, his explanation “I’ve concluded God told me to leave.” A couple weeks later he tried again, when he arrived at the border patrol he was asked to report to the local police. The police explained to him that his life was in jeopardy. They had information confirming there was a plot to kill, two weeks prior a group was waiting on the other side of the border with plans to execute.
My story of listening to the Lord prevented job loss and not loss of life as was the possibility in his case. However different these stories are, they both testify to the favor of God and His protection. The missionary and I, we also had a responsibility to accept the grace offered. We avoided the snare of the enemy because we were obedient.
My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. John 10:27
