Imperishable Inheritance

As I continue to think, pray, and plan for my trip overseas I begin to realize more and more what the possible ramifications of my actions are. The Joshua Project lists Saudia Arabia as the 2nd most persecuted country for Christians in the world (to N. Korea which I personally don't buy). The Mutawwa'in (Islamic religious police) go around removing any influence non-Muslim, and it is especially bad around Medina and Mecca the two holiest cities in the Islamic faith. Here is one story of persecution:

Mr. Brian O'Connor, a Christian ex-pat Indian national, was arrested by the Muttawa (religious police) on the streets of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. ICC is being told from a highly reputable source that the Muttawa abducted, imprisoned, and tortured him in a Mosque...Mr. O'Connor has received visitors and has communicated that his legs were chained and he was hung upside down and 'they played football with me'. 'The Muttawa came in turns of fours and kicked me in the chest and rib area, and this continued up to 2 AM on Friday morning'. He also says that he was whipped on his back and the soles of his feet by electrical wires and is in much pain as he walks. He also reports that he is in intense pain, and thinks that a rib may be broken. The police at the Olaya police station state that he is being held on account of preaching Christianity...

It's stories like this that really make you think about where you feel as though you should go. I know the Scriptural mandate: God wants to make His name known throughout all of His creation by bringing a representative from everyone of His people groups (Gen 12:1-3; Psa 46:10; Mal 1:11; Mat 24:14, 28:19; Rev 5:9), but I need to be sure I know what may happen. I need to be continually aware that I may not come back. I might end up like Mr. O'Connor. I coud lose everything. In going there, I was lose all chances of "the American dream;" and I will disappoint my parents to a large degree. The question is now: Who do I treasure? Do I treasure the things of this life, or do I treasure Christ above all?

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Matthew 6:19-21

Peter, after being asked by Jesus three times if he loved Him was told "what kind of death he would glorify God" (John 21:18-19). After telling Peter the news, He said, "Follow me" (vs. 19). Stephen gives one of the greatest recorded apologies for the Messianic stature of Christ from the known Scriptures in Acts 7, and afterward he was brutally stoned. Right before he died, Stephen ripped right to the heart of what it means to follow his Rabbi: "'Lord, do not hold this sin against them!' Having said this, he fell asleep" (Acts 7:60).

And how can we take a short look at martyrdom and not mention Christ? In His high priestly prayer of John 17, we see the submission of the Son to the Father. In this prayer, a beautiful statement is made by Christ, "I glorified You on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do" (John 17:4). I was challenged on project of reflecting on what it would be like to say to Christ, "I glorified You on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do." How amazing would that be?

In a world where I could die on my way to work, why should I fear dying for the glory of God by exalting His Son to the lost? May God make this desire pure and not to seek the praise or approval of man, and may God purify my desire to lose it all for the sake of the gospel. May I not desire to die for the gospel because it's "sexy," but for no other reason than to glorify God Thank you Father for giving me true purpose—Your purpose.

"Allow the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim everywhere the kingdom of God."
 Rabbi