How long?
Ephesians 3:18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.
As I started contemplating how the body of Christ demonstrates the length of God's love, I found myself humming "He ain't Heavy, He's my Brother" by The Hollies.
With a many a winding turn
That leads us to who knows where
Who knows where
Strong enough to carry him. He ain't heavy, he's my brother.
In Holland during World War 2, Casper ten Boom and his family helped hide and rescue around 800 Jewish people before they were reported and arrested. Casper was 84 years old at the time, and died after 9 days of imprisonment. His daughters, Corrie and Betsie were sent to Ravensbrück concentration camp. Betsie insisted they "give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus" What a testament of faithfulness. Sadly Betsie died at the camp but shared another wisdom with Corrie shortly before "There is no pit so deep that God is not deeper still." Twelve days later, Corrie was released. Years later she forgave both the betrayer that led to their imprisonment and one of the guards who had been especially brutal in the camp. (video below)
William Wilberforce campaigned for the end of slavery in the late 1700's. He was ridiculed by many of his peers but his conviction that people could not and should not be owned compelled him to continue. Wilberforce had nothing to gain on a personal level yet he dedicated twenty years of his life to getting the Slave Trade Act passed.
As well as the horrific history of those sold into slavery and the fate of so many Jewish people in WW2, throughout history there have been many people oppressed and persecuted due to race, religion and class. It's something the early church knew a lot about. In his second letter to the Corinthians (11:24) Paul lists some of the treatment he'd received for preaching the Gospel. "Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones.. "
This is still very much the reality in many countries. (If you'd like to find out more, visit https://www.opendoorsusa.org/about-us/history/brother-andrews-story/ )
I find the recollection of Daniel's story in the old testament both inspiring and challenging. Despite being a slave, he honours his master while refusing to submit to anything that goes against God's laws. It shows amazing integrity and bravery. Submitting to those in authority what can be submitted, keeping a humble, prayerful and loving attitude towards your oppressors and simultaneously standing firm on the truth of God's word, can only be done if you're eyes are fully fixed on where you're heading.
When Jesus was hanging on the cross he asked his father to forgive the soldiers "for they know not what they do." Paul preached the Good News to his jailers. He endured without retaliation. He kept his eye on the Glory to come. Those who endure while believing that the persecutor is worth saving, forgive the unforgivable and show love to the unlovable are bravely showing how long God's love is.
The other group of people that are also examples of "long love" are those who faithfully worship God despite real struggles in life, whether that may be grief, illness or trauma - modern day Job's. When the world looks on and questions the sanity of their faith, they continue to believe in God's love and faithfulness.
It's pretty easy to read about these people who show the length of God's love without seeing God in the picture at all. But so many of these people who have suffered speak of a Grace that cannot be explained, only experienced when facing persecution and injustice. When God's presence is so close you can almost feel it, leading, strengthening and guiding you along the tightrope of faith helping you to look neither left or right but keeping your eyes firmly on Him, the One who will never forget or forsake you. This doesn't make it easier, but it does make it possible.
Matthew 5:11 "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
So how should these stories shape the rest of the body? We may not all be called to walk such perilous journeys of faith, so let us firstly pray for our brothers and sisters who do.
Secondly, take in the words of Hebrews 12 "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."
Knowing the sacrifice others have made to show and share God's great love and sacrifice, take courage and take those steps forward in faith.
And finally let us be brave enough to share more of our lives with each other. There will be others that need to hear YOUR story. Your struggles and your victories. Be brave enough to listen to the stories that break your heart. Galation 6:2 "Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."
There are so many other stories I would have liked to include, but it would take a book rather than a blog to do everyone justice. Instead I've included a few links for you to hear/read the stories firsthand.
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