**reposted from my blog on http://mleduffey.weebly.com, 10/16/2010**
Today I attended a F.O.C.I.S. seminar (Find Out Christ Is Sufficient) on "Suffering Biblically." While a LOT of excellent material was presented, a particular part of it jumped out at me. The speaker was going over the purpose of suffering, and how it identifies us with Christ. She brought up how Paul and the other apostles suffered for righteousness sake in the desire to spread the message of Jesus Christ. As I turned the page in the notebook of material we were given, statistics from Voice of the Martyrs were presented. To quote from the notebook, "People of faith all over the world suffer today because of their love for Jesus Christ, risking their own lives for the promotion of the gospel." A list of 48 countries followed, representing the countries where Christians suffer for Christ. The 11th country listed was Morocco--the country closest to Spain in North Africa (connected by the Straight of Gibraltar) and the country that the ministry in Malaga directly ministers. Lord willing, I will go into Morocco for a day and see this country for myself. The thought of stepping foot into this country as a visitor, a tourist, free to enter and exit with the privilege of American citizenship, amazes me. The reality that my faith, the very reason why I am going to go on this trip, is enough of a reason for the government of this country to deny my admittance in or make my departure from it occur rather hastily, astonishes me. The fact that those who live in Morocco and convert from Islam to Christianity are persecuted severely for following the same Savior I do leaves me shocked and humbled beyond belief. They are abandoned by friends and family, beaten, mocked, and even their lives taken for calling Jesus Christ the Lord, the only God to be adored. Their conversion is not like how conversion is presented in America. Here, we are told of the good news--and we look around at all we have, the wealth, the resources--and the news doesn't seem that great, really. We have time--live life now, come to Christ later, after we've had our fun. We are called upon to forsake little. Our family may think we've lost it, but generally do not care about what religious decisions we make. Sometimes Christians here are called nuts, crazy, or pathetic for their beliefs--but for an American to be killed by another American for being a Christian outrages the country. In Morocco, it is praiseworthy to rid the country of another Christian.
When I was in college at MU the pastor of the church I attended penned another verse to a popular song, "Sanctuary." To the best of my memory, I will include it here (admitting the failings of my memory over the past several years!):
Lord prepare me
to be a missionary
always ready
to do Your will
by Your biding
I'll be a living
missionary
for You
This same pastor also explained how he once went on a missions trip to a country where he had to sign a waiver releasing the United States government from responsibility to come and rescue him were he taken captive while in this country. He literally signed the rights to his citizenship away to go spread the gospel in this country. Would I be as eager to go into Morocco if I were required to sign a form absolving the American government of coming to my rescue if I get into trouble while in Morocco? Would I be willing to risk this life God has given me and willingly walk into a country whose very government is hostile to the very faith I believe in? Am I willing to suffer for the cause of Christ in this way? The reality of me suffering for the cause of Christ as a visitor for a day in Morocco is pretty slim to non-existent, to be honest. But for those who live in this country every day--for those who cross the borders bringing the good news of Jesus Christ to the very people who desire to kill Christians--is a daily reality. It is not a story in a book; it is not past, archaic history. It is today; it is living, breathing, evil. It is real. Pray for the church in Morocco, in Northern Africa--pray for the persecuted church worldwide. Today you can walk out the door and praise Jesus, going about your day singing His praises--this may not always be true. Enjoy the freedom you now possess--and pray for those who dare not utter the name of Jesus aloud but praise them in their hearts.
1 Peter 3:14
But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled.
1 Peter 5:6-10
Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer ,or a troublesome meddler; but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name.
Luke 6:22
Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and insult you, and scorn your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man. Be glad in that day and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven.
