Persecution.. it’s a word that makes us uncomfortable and reminds us that the world does not approve of every life decision. But does any life decision mean enough to you that you’d be willing to go through it? And is what you’re getting persecuted for truly what you believe in?
I gathered each of these questions after a 3 day trek through the Himalayas in Nepal with our ministry “High Adventures Missions”. We were blessed to hike to remote mountain villages and share stories with the locals about life, love, and spirituality.
The two stories I want to highlight got me asking these questions. To understand them you must remember that this country has a high population of Hindus, which means 1. they are not very open to the idea of other spiritual beliefs, and 2. the caste system is still very alive and well. This means people are placed in social groups according to their knowledge, income, profession, etc.. They very much believe that lower classes deserve little to no respect, which can control what they believe both spiritually and about themselves. But hopefully you’ll understand more after the two unforgettable stories of local families we were blessed to meet.
Family 1
“Is what you’re getting persecuted for what you truly believe in?”
We just got done with our second full day of hiking. We made it to this remote village where we will stay with the locals for the night before continuing our trek. As we find our beds and begin to settle down, a man spots us. He lives across the river and approaches our ministry host to speak with him.
I don’t know exactly what is said, but it is something along the lines of, “Hello Sir, I’ve noticed you’re with this group of Americans. I need to ask you something. My wife has gotten sick over the last three days and she is not looking well. Is there any way they might have some medicine or medical experience to provide us with answers or help us?”
Lucky for him we have both. Chloe, my squad mate, is a doctor, and others have plenty of medicine to share. We travel to his house and not only provide him with medicine, but it becomes a perfect time to share words of encouragement, love, and the Gospel with him and his family. Breier and I get to share some messages with him. We share the story of Jesus healing a man with leprosy and talk with them about the power and love of God. We also share Pslam 23, which speaks on the Lord being our Shepherd protecting, loving, and believing in us. The man and his family listen with open eyes, head nods, and open hearts. We didn’t know at the time that this is their first time hearing the Gospel, and the first time they hear they are loved, honored, cared for, and protected.
After we share, the man tells us some of his story. He says, “I am a black smith; I make tools and metal objects, usually used for Hindu worshipping. But because my profession is not well respected, nether am I. People in my village look down upon me and my family. I’ve never heard of Jesus or the Gospel, only Hindu and our millions of gods. It’s through worship in temples that they find favor in us. But sadly, because I am a lower member in society, the others will not let us enter the temples. I have been kicked out, mocked, and even physically hurt for trying to enter. The only gods I know I cannot worship because I am not good enough.”
This absolutely breaks my heart. Can you imagine only knowing one religion, where the only way to be loved by the gods is to worship them, and you can’t do that? What would that do to your confidence and self image?
We tell him to not let the world define what his worth is. We tell him about God’s never ending love for us individually, how he honors us, and how no one is better than the next in his eyes. We get to tell this man he is loved, honored, qualified and worthy.
To be honest that hit home for me. I don’t know what he fully took away from our visit. Honestly that’s not for us to know. But I do know he listened, and I saw God move at this man’s hut. I saw a new light brought into this man’s eyes. And with that, maybe, just maybe, he realized there are better things to be persecuted for. Maybe he realized that a good God will not persecute you, and he wants us all to feel loved.
Family 2
“Does your decision mean so much to you that your willing to be persecuted”
The next morning we wake up bright and early, hike about 2 miles up to another family’s hut, where we are greeted with a smiling “Namaste” and a warm cup of tea. We are told that this couple had the Gospel shared to them about a year ago, and they gave their lives to Jesus. But living in a Hindu community, this now means they receive a lot of heat from their neighbors. They tell us that they are angry with them. They call them names and tell them horrible things like, “Christians get cancer. You’ll get sick and die.” Things that are heartbreaking to hear, and, quite frankly, make no sense. This innocent elderly man and woman are now considered outcasts in their community because of their beliefs.
But this does not break them. Honestly it seems like it is making them stronger. They both have Bibles, but due to old age, they can no longer read them. So instead the woman tells us that she sleeps with it under her pillow every night. That is beautiful faith right there.
We share stories of instances in the Bible were people are persecuted, but how God protects them through their faith. How those who suffer in the name of God will be blessed. They smile as we speak, but honestly not a smile that shows this is new news to them. It’s that kind of humbling smile that says, “He is already blessing me, and I feel him with me every day.”
The woman then tells us about a dream she had where Jesus appeared in their hut and spoke to her. He told her to stay strong in times like this. That he is always with them, and always proud of them.
Her faith and spirit encouraged me beyond belief. We went there to lift them up, but I feel like I was the one being ministered to. Her smile, hospitality, and warming love showed me that Jesus was right there, living in her every day. That her and her husband are living examples of God’s love in that village who will influence others. It made me realize that this decision is worth the persecution.
These stories taught me a lot. They are each living examples that persecution happens on a daily basis. Sometimes it’s a person-to-person persecution, and sometimes it’s through a culture’s caste system.
But there is absolutely no good reason to take part in it. We are all humans and all deserve to feel loved. Your level of love is not measured by your religion, yearly income, heritage, skin color, educational level, or any other factors in your life. Love is the one thing we have all received equally, so we have no right to deny it of any one else. Society can be cruel. It can be uninviting, and can lead you in the wrong direction. So remember that if society is persecuting you, it’s likely because they’re afraid you’re moving in the right direction.
(Family 2)
2 Corinthians 4:8-9
“We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed”
Matthew 5:44
“I say to you, Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.”
