This is a blog post that I read this morning. Those of you who know my feelings about John Piper and the impact his writing has had on my life should appreciate reading how his book Taste and See, affected at least one other reader...
"In spite of all the Halloween decorations popping up in EVERY single retail outlet I’ve been to in the past 3 weeks, today I am not writing about a ghost story or anything paranormal. In fact, this is about a story that has been haunting my mind ever since I read it weeks ago. (NOTE: This is NOT a “light” story by any means. If you get overly emotional, you may just want to skip this one.)
It started innocently enough…reading through a new book my husband ordered for his men’s group. Taste and See by John Piper
My husband had to run into an office supply store for something and I found this short story about this missionary family in Cambodia that has not been far from my consciousness ever since.
The story (Chapter 13 in the book) is about a family who knew their days were numbered. One day, it was time. They were rounded up by teenage rebels and put to work, digging their own graves. The family complied. When it was time for them to be executed, one of the boys in the family panicked and took off running into the bush.
His father stepped in and asked his captors not to chase after his son, but to wait as he called him back. This man of God called out to his son, asking his son to join their family in the execution, knowing they would all join their Savior in Heaven in just a few moments. He asked his son not to spend his last hours as a fugitive, running for his life, but to return and take his place by the graves they’d just finished digging. Shortly after his father called him, the young man came back, crying, to join his family. They were executed soon after.
Let me just allow you a moment to let that sink in. A father, knowing his life on earth was clearly at its end, calls his son BACK to his side to be murdered with his family.
Honestly, to say I was deeply troubled and moved by this story is an understatement. My husband and I both wondered if we, in their situation, would have encouraged our son to run faster and harder, thinking it the Lord’s will that he escaped. And I truly don’t now what my reaction would be…and hope I never have to face such a gut wrenching scenario.
But as haunting as this story is, it is equally as humbling.
Humbling to have the insight of this missionary father, knowing his son would likely live his remaining days constantly looking behind his shoulder, wondering when he’d be captured and knowing that he could join his family in being face to face with their God in just a handful of minutes…and how much better that would be!
Can you even imagine? Seriously…can you? I simply cannot. Nope. Can’t hardly wrap my finite mind around this. And then the son…knowing his father was right and, in one last act of submission and obedience to his father, comes back to die beside his family.
My stomach was in knots when I read it and is in knots as I type. And then I ask…do I have that kind of faith? Would I be given that kind of strength in a situation like that? It’s at times like these that I have to lean on Scriptures that remind me, “I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me.” Phillipians 4:13(emphasis mine)
Like the passengers on Flight 93 who KNEW they were destined to die and faced the hijackers to thwart their plans and saved the lives of probably hundreds or thousands.
Or the young woman who was martyred at Columbine High School because she would not deny her faith in Christ.
Or countless other Christians who face death E-V-E-R-Y stinkin’ day just for being Christians.
And, forgetting about myself for a moment, am I raising my CHILDREN to have Phillipians 4:13 strength? Can I demonstrate such an unwavering reliance on the Lord that my children can see this strength in action?
Heaven knows I fail miserably and on a consistent basis. Sheesh. The Christian walk is far from easy. Feels a lot more like a hike up Everest in the winter sometimes, but at least I know my Guide knows the way and will pick me up when I can’t take another step".
-Susan
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