Unnecessary

I have been doing some interesting reading lately. I have been deeply involved in Foxe's Book of Martyrs. Reading about the boldness of people that are willing to die for their faith has been an eye opening experience.

I sit in my comfortable living room. I'm listening to the sounds of my children attempting to have a burping contest. I don't know who taught them that. I hear sounds of joy. I hear their freedom... the ability to enjoy every moment... the beauty of being young and without care.

What if I were unable to hold my beliefs without being persecuted? How well would I stand up under that pressure? Even as a Christian, I can respect people that are willing to die for what they believe whether that is an idea, a cause, or a faith... regardless of what that idea, cause, or faith is. I wonder, however, given my present comfort, how I would do.

I think that in the American culture pleasure, comfort and convenience are the keys to how we live and why we do what we do. I think that also our own sense of personal accomplishment plays into it as well. We want to look and feel good... and have other people acknowledge it.

The men and women in the book were persecuted because their religion was not of the current, acceptable variety. They were burned, crucified, beaten, imprisoned. I hate thinking of that happening to anyone, anywhere in the world. I do not know how I would respond if it were me. I know that being killed for my faith is highly unlikely. It is possible that at some point antagonism towards Christians will grow to the point where it could happen. For example, there was a recent school board meeting here in Bakersfield where people were vehemently protesting a poster that will go into the classrooms. The poster has copies of government documents and one of them says, "in God we trust". People were extremely vocal in their opposition. AND it wasn't just about the document, it seemed about the people as well. Wow.

I love my petty little luxuries. Every now and again, my husband wants to bat around the idea of throwing out our TV. I almost get the shakes just thinking about it. I would feel the same if the world ran out of Diet Pepsi. I love my car. Sometimes my house feels too small. (2000sq ft.) Then I think: How stupid! It is just stuff.

If I am to live what I believe, there will be no fear about death regardless of how it comes about. I think the thing that I like to remember most is a story about Cory ten Boom. I don't remember if it was in her book The hiding place or Tramp for the Lord. Anyway, she was talking about death with her father and asked him a question about it and expressed her fear. His response was a question: when you take the train, when do I give you your ticket. She explained that he gave her the ticket right before she got on the train. He told her that the same is true with God and death. He gives us our ticket when it is needed and not before. I like that story. I guess I just admire those that can stand firm for what they believe, even to their death.