Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go

I am “N” ---Stories of Courage

Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed,

for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go”  Joshua 1:9

                The second section of the book “I Am N” focuses

on the courage that many Christians today are upholding in light of their faith being challenged.

                One story is of a young woman who at a young age came to know Jesus through shortwave Christian programs from Europe. She listened, wrote down Bible verses, hid them in her clothes or pillow until she could memorise them. She was locked in her bedroom for almost two years because her family called her infidel and she was not allowed to talk or eat with her family. Eventually she was able to get out and meet people and through Christian connections she met her husband a Christian. This young man saved money and with her permission asked her parents to marry her. They presumed he was Muslim and consented thinking that the infidel daughter would be out of their home and care. This young couple had a difficult time securing a home, work and yet they lived with the courage of Christ. They had a son and despite the uncertainties of their life in Egypt, they remain faithful to their calling. They continue to tell others of Jesus and live knowing that ‘hope, contentment and peace can be found only in Jesus.” They truly have the courage to trust God for whatever lies ahead and they are committed to do his will not theirs.

                Another story is a Saul/ Paul story where a young man whose specialty was in car bombs riot planning and infiltrating Christian organizations came to know Christ. In order to advance his killing of Christians he posed as an impostor and asked how he could become a Christian. He became a part of this community but at the same time he returned to the mosque to pray and fast. He lived this double life for six years. Until he heard the question asked of him and his double life. He repented for real and came to be a true follower of Jesus. And in this, he had to find courage for by coming to Jesus, his life was now in danger. But he pursued and grew in faith, with the Christian community’s support.

                REFLECTION

When we think of courage in our context we wonder about something that may seem so important yet when compared to these stories—courage means life or death and truly facing up to their faith in Christ.

Have you ever been challenged by your faith belief? Have you found the courage to say whose you are and what this means? Sometimes when we think about loving God we are facing life and death due to age and illness. Yet these people were courageous in their faith because they wanted to live life as young people. These are conversion stories and each of these people took a step of courage that makes a powerful impact. As Paul wrote in Galatians 1:23-24 “they only were hearing it said, “He who used to persecute us in now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy. And they glorified God because of me.” What does this mean for you and your relationship with God?

PRAYER

Wonderful God I pray for the courage I need to tell others my faith not only in times of uncertainty but when I am able to talk to others about Christ. Give me the words I need. Show me your love I pray. Amen.

               

The Voice of the Martyrs    I am N: Inspiring Stories of Christians Facing Islamic Extremists. Colorado Springs, CO:  David C. Cook Publishing 2016.  (p. 63-78)