Are there still heroes of the faith?
While watching a WWII movie about an naval destroyer accompanying a flotilla including other warships and several merchant ships carrying life-giving supplies to the UK and the war effort in Europe, I was in awe of the skill, courage, and wisdom of many of the seamen portrayed. I don’t think “Greyhound” was a true story, but what a great job the film-makers did showing the viewer how it might have been on board that ship during the voyage from the USA to the UK facing the Nazi wolf pack composed of several U-boats/submarines. The credits at the end of the movie related that more than 2000 ships were sunk by those wolf packs during the war resulting in nearly 50,000 (British and US) lives lost. That doesn’t include those who were captured after losing their ship.
Those men and women who lost their lives knew from the time they launched from the shores of the USA, as they subsequently sailed outside protective air cover into the Black Pit of the Atlantic Ocean until under protective air cover from the British side, that they would be hunted and perhaps lose their lives on the way. They went any way. They were the life line of supplies for thousands and thousands of others who were risking their lives to stop German aggression and Germany’s goal of total world domination. How brave and honorable the vast majority of those sailors were.
Those thoughts very quickly led me to ask the question: Where are those kinds of brave soldiers and sailors today? They are still out there serving our country and protecting our nation…protecting us.
Another question came to mind: Where are those kinds of “soldiers” in the army of our Lord Jesus Christ? I was reminded of Mother Theresa who served the least and lost of India over many decades placing her life and health at risk as she sacrificially served lepers and the poorest of the poor. Jim Elliott also came to mind. He and 4 other committed missionaries worked tirelessly for many months to get the Gospel of Jesus to the Auca Indian tribe in Ecuador only to be slaughtered on the beach after befriending a few Auca tribe members thinking they had made a breakthrough. He was 28 years old.
Though I don’t know those who have been killed for their faith, I do know many men and women who have given their life’s comfort, safety, and security to find comfort and safety and security in serving God faithfully. They are living lessons of faith and love. Friends of ours in Africa, India, Kenya, Rwanda, Romania, Brazil, Mexico, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Japan, Pakistan, Central Asia, and in the UK have given up the security of being near home to establish Gospel work. And here in the states in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Minnesota, Colorado, and elsewhere, we know godly soldiers for Christ who are serving and giving of themselves so that others may be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth about Jesus Christ.
Maybe as you read this article, you can acknowledge those you know who bravely serve God with little thought of financial or physical safety and security. Pray for them. Also, consider the ways you yourself have been sacrificial in serving our Lord.
The soldiers in God’s army are not out to harm anyone, but we are determined to face the hardships and overcome the obstacles our Enemy the Devil has erected. He came to steal, kill, and destroy. Jesus came to give life, provide abundant life, and to build up His kingdom for now and eternity.