The Missing Peace

True love is such a powerful force. For many it is the foundation of their philosophical, spiritual, or religious world view. Especially those who live in countries like China, North Korea, Iran or Russia where the suppression of freedom of speech and religious conscience is an everyday reality.

These are also some of the nations around the world where the Christian faith is miraculously expanding under severe persecution. So, we can surmise that True Love takes massive courage and an understanding of genuine personal faith. A definition of faith is ‘to cling to, trust in and rely on’. Millions of persecuted Christians walk through this oppression every day in their genuine hope of Eternal Life.

As a Christian, I also pray for those like the Uyghurs Muslims who are being severely persecuted, because Jesus teaches us to pray for our fellow man from hearts of love. Love your neighbour as you love yourselves.

With these thoughts in mind, I was driving into work recently and listening to Cross Rhythms radio. I heard a song by JJ Heller called The Missing Peace. This was a clever lyric from a person who has a faith and yet is going through some hard times.

On the programme the Cross Rhythms Experience, I often share the experience found on the journey of faith. That life is not always plain sailing. Even a cursory read of the Bible will confirm the words of Jesus Himself in John 16 v 33. “I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take courage; I have overcome the world.”

At our recent online fundraiser event, we shared the story of Pastor Han. A Chinese pastor who lived near the North Korean Border. Pastor Han was executed for sharing the good news of Jesus Christ to more than a thousand North Koreans. There are some 200,000 – 400,000 Christian believers in North Korea. One has to ask oneself in the comfort of the Western World why so many people would risk their lives for their belief in the Christian Faith in such hostile and life-threatening circumstances.

You can check out Pastor Han’s story here YouTube

Unlike those of us living in the West, persecuted Christians across the globe really do put everything on the line for their beliefs.

We showed this video on our fundraising evening for no other reason than to encourage us who live in relative freedom in the world to be inspired by brothers and sisters in Christ who, like Jesus Himself, for the joy that is set before them endure the cross they must carry in their communities and nations.

These folk experience miracles which confirm that their experience is based on a person who is 100% Divine and 100% human and who has an answer and hope that life does not end when we die. Christianity is a personal experience which we outwork together for the Love of Christ. True Love takes courage, especially in the tough times which we all go through in life.