"Freedom to Worship - A blessing?"

I'm reminded how often churches preach this. It's said in prayers. God is thanked often for such a feat as freedom to worship God in a public place.

I don't necessarily think that is a blessing. I look at the persecuted Church and I don't see them as less favored. Being persecuted means I take my faith seriously. It means I love God with all my heart and suffer for Him.

This is a subject that you probably don't want discussed. One of my managers at work is not a Believer. I've felt certain persecutions comming from him. But what is a few verbal insults or some sleezy decision making compared to beatings and ultimately death? I was reminded this week that here in the U.S. people take for granted that freedom is good.

Understand me I'm not advocating we all live in totalitarian societies. Instead I guess the question I pose is "If you knew your faith would be challenged say in your neighborhood would you try more to make a difference?"

Or better yet "How far would you go for Christ?" It is something that I've been dealing with lately. How far would I go. Could I loose a finger for Christ? Could I loose a limb? Could I loose my life? Could I accept being beaten for my faith? The answer is as a child yes. Today I rethink my whole thought process on prioritizing.

Two reasons for this. One I was thinking about the "Jesus Freak" song from back when I was a teenager. The other is I read a testimonial about a 20 year old girl living in Iran.

Jesus Freak reminded me that I shouldn't really care what people think. That I should proclaim the Gospel of Truth. That I should live for Him no matter where I am. I'm praying God will show me when to talk to my classmates about Christ.

The girl from Iran... She smuggled a picture of Jesus into her appartment. She had friends who were beaten for talking about Christ or reading the Bible. I wondered to myself what it would mean to be cut off from my family if they disowned me for my faith in Christ. Something I don't have to worry about comming from a long heritage of Believers... But to put myself in their shoes I realize how small and how limited I have put my faith in Christ.

Oh Lord teach me to have faith like a mustard seed. To know You and be known by You. To face the mountains of life and tell them to move in confidence. Teach me the faith and love of my youth.