Riding my bike this morning and listening to K-LOVE, the Newsboys had me feeling a little “Guilty” –

“Even if it gets me convicted, I’ll still be on my knees with my hands lifted…”

 

We’ve all seen the terrifying images of Christians around the world being killed because of their faith. If a hooded man put a machete to my neck or a gun to my head, what would I do? What would I say? I don’t live in a state of fear, but I do want to live in a state of readiness. There in the middle of the bike path I decided I would say this:

“I love you and I forgive you. When my blood is on your hands, my justice in in the hands of the One True God and His Son, Jesus Christ. May the Holy Spirit torment you with my love for you, which pales in comparison to theirs.”

Kinda corny, I know.

And it’s unlikely I’ll ever need my martyr speech in my middle-class, middle-America neighborhood.

But ya never know.

An extremist attack isn’t unheard of in our country, but the odds of it happening to any one of us are slim. If it does, I’m ready. I pray I’d have the courage and conviction – and the opportunity – to proclaim my faith one last time.

But what about an ambush in a movie theater? A madman (or madwoman) in a restaurant? These things have happened within miles of places I’ve called home. How would I answer if someone pointed a finger (and a gun) at me and demanded to know, “Are you a Christian?” Would I be ready? Would I stand firm? Would I be shaken?

 

 

As I rode a few more miles, I wondered how I’d react to a less newsworthy yet more likely scenario: what if the offense against me was my neighbor’s barking dog or late-night party? What if the violation of my rights was an unkempt lawn or a lifestyle in direct opposition to all I hold dear? What if I was assaulted by bigotry or rudeness or meanness? Would I be ready? Would I stand firm? Would I be shaken? Could I respond with lovingkindness and forgiveness to a petty offense?

 

If I’m ready to have my head cut off, I ought to be ready to have my hand slapped!

 

As an American Christian, I have never been persecuted. Oh, I’ve been teased… but ask any Christian in Syria if that counts. I know people who haven’t been promoted and who have been harassed at work… but their lives were never in danger. I live in a country that doesn’t honor my Christian values… but I am still allowed to have them. We dishonor true persecution when we claim it for every little offense.

Can we please stop calling this persecution and start calling it what it is? It’s privilege.

 

“Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don’t like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.” Matthew 5:11-12 MSG

 

Each day brings the opportunity to astound others with our love. We have the privilege of proclaiming Christ in every neighborhood interaction through our joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. We may be teased, scorned, ignored, rejected, lied to, lied about, offended, ridiculed, or harassed. We may even be martyred. May our graciousness haunt our offenders, no matter the size or scope of the crime.