hope that does not disappoint
What does it look like for you to daily take up your cross and follow Jesus? You would probably agree that it’s a conscience decision to fully surrender to the Savior every single day, laying aside my will, my desires, and my plans and inviting the Lord to ‘sit on the throne of my heart’. I strive to practice this habit every day, oftentimes repeatedly throughout the day. Of course, some days are harder than others as my selfishness is always right there, just waiting to make an appearance. I have learned that as I spend time with my King, reading His Word, trusting the Spirit to guide me, peace and joy accompany me more regularly. Rarely do I face a situation that causes me to think very hard about taking up my cross to follow Jesus. What would I do if I were treated badly for following my Savior?
On our recent trip to Asia, I was confronted with the harsh realization of what life looks like for my sisters as they take up their crosses daily and follow Jesus. I listened as they shared their struggles of isolation, avoidance and alienation. I want you to picture how it would feel to wake up each morning with the genuine desire to love God and love others only to be met with hatred as you try to buy fruits and vegetables for your family at the market. Each vendor avoids eye contact, turns away or even assaults you verbally because you follow Jesus. Who will sell you what you need?
Or picture yourself consoling your child who sits alone, plays alone and is avoided every single day at school because she follows Jesus. What do you say to her? Or how would you respond if you were regularly pelted with unfair questions, such as “Why is your child sick, can’t your God heal her?” “Why doesn’t He heal her?” “You know how much we need rain, why won’t your God make it rain?” “Why won’t He listen to you?” These taunts are often followed up with “Hallelujahs” and “Praise Jesus” to emphasize their disdain for Christ-Followers.
As I listened to their stories, I was humbled, and my heart ached for them. Even though I could not identify with their struggles, I knew the Lord could use me to listen to them, cry with them, pray with them and remind them of those who had also suffered for His name throughout Scripture.
These women have suffered. They have endured much persecution. They understand the cost of following Jesus. The more time I spent with them, I couldn’t help but think of Romans 5 and see in them how their suffering had produced endurance, character and hope. Their hope in the incredible love of God and the gift of His Son Jesus is what drives them to continue through the isolation, avoidance and alienation. They want those who mock them to know of the One who forgives, heals and restores.
As a dear sister and I trained these faithful women in the Pathways Bible study skills, I was excited to think about how the Lord was going to use them. With their newfound understanding of how to study God’s Word, their endurance through suffering and their hope in the Coming King, they are going to be unstoppable. As they boldly take up their cross and follow Jesus, there is no doubt they will bear much fruit for His Kingdom.
It’s my prayer that as we surrender each day to our Savior and seek to walk in obedience to Him, we would not forget our brothers and sisters who suffer for His name and that we would follow their example of faithfulness.
*I cannot share their names here, but if you would like to pray specifically for one of these dear sisters by name, please reach out to me and I will share their names and specific prayer requests. (laura.carter@efca.org)
-Laura
Upcoming Travel:
Feb.21-23 Olympia, WA (Laura, Women’s Jonah Workshop)
Feb. 25-Mar. 2 Waterville, ME (Men and Women’s Jonah Workshop)
Praise & Prayer:
Praise for Jackson’s salvation and pray for growth and guidance for his future.
Praise for a fruitful trip to Asia and that workshop participants would pass the training on to others.
Pray for God to provide more monthly financial partners so we can continue to travel and train.
Pray for wisdom for future training opportunities.
Pray for the Lord to build the Pathways for Women Team.
Partnering Together,
Scott and Laura Carter