solivagant

There are some days when I get the urge to hike high in the mountains, silently stride by the river, or briskly bike along a path. There are other times when I let my thoughts wander in different directions, but those inner thoughts eventually lead to some recent happening, worry or concern in my life. And so in my solivagant, or solitary wandering, I think about injustice and pain that others suffer.

Recently I watched the movie, “The Sound of Freedom” which is about a federal agent who rescues a boy from cruel and ruthless child traffickers. He finds out that the boy’s sister is still being held captive and he decides to journey on a mission to save her. He quits his job, dives deep into the Columbian jungle and puts his life on line to safe her. It tugged at my heart in so many ways and brought tears to my eyes.

“Typically, we want the persecution to stop. Typically, we want suffering believers to be rescued. Typically, we want the persecutors to be punished. Typically, we equate Western forms of democracy with the kingdom of God. Typically, we try to do with money what we should do with witness. And in those perfectly normal responses, we can find ourselves completely out of step with the purposes and plans of God. Much to our surprise, believers enduring intense persecution did not ask us to pray that their persecution would cease. Instead, they begged us to pray that they would be obedient through their suffering. And that is a very different prayer indeed.” - Nik Ripken

Which begs the questions, how are we praying? Are we being putdown for our stand regarding Jesus? Am I leading a life worthy of what I am called to do? There will always be thoughts to ponder. There will always be prayers to pray. There will always be injustice until Jesus comes to restore his kingdom and God will deliver justice to all. And there will always be questions. Keep asking them.

“Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” 2 Timothy 3:12