What are you doing with your freedom?

A day on which freedom is celebrated in South Africa, we use it to spend time with family and friends, run errands and spend it a wee bit more relaxed than we are on another day.

Worries are pushed to the back of one’s mind and on this day, “free” is the order of the day.

Observing how we may often forget the freedom we are graced with, especially when it comes to practising our faith and being able to worship the Lord with no fear of attack or endangerment to our lives, may we remember the lack thereof for our persecuted family across the globe.

Do you look over your shoulder in fear of who might see you entering a church, or hide your bible under floorboards in fear of being seen reading it? Perhaps you pray in whispers in fear of being heard and thrown out of the house? Probably not.

With the freedom we possess, we can choose whether to attend Sunday services, Wednesday evening services or Friday Youth services, an option not available for our persecuted brothers and sisters. Knowing you can pick and choose which day, which church and even which platform, with an online church that often becomes background noise as you go on about your business, we take for granted the freedom to praise and worship the Lord in our bubble of safety.

Persecuted believers know the price they may pay for praying, praising and worshipping the Lord, but they continue to do so, even if it is in dark rooms underground.

Knowing what they stand to lose greatly for sharing the Good News of the Gospel, they press on to share the joy and love found in Christ with others, so they too may come to know His love. Their freedom is sacrificed because they know their freedom is through Jesus, and in the Lord. Even if it costs them all they have, or who they love because it is in Him that they find favour.

Take time also, to think of what you are doing with your freedom?

While you ponder on the adversaries they face for their faith while we may be frivolous with our freedom, consider to please say a prayer for our brothers and sisters that are persecuted for their faith. Pray that they are protected and continue to find peace in Jesus Christ. Click here to partner with Open Doors, making sure that though they are persecuted, they are never alone.