Too Much Free Time

Just happen to be in a new focus of study right now.  Reading a book that I have always wanted to read but never have made time for.  Richard Wurmbrand, Tortured for Christ.  Ok, if you have never read this book and are a Christian you probably need to repent now.  I know I am!  Wurmbrand lived through torture and imprisonment in the communist control of Romania.  I know little of his life, but I am seeking to learn more.  He is a true example of faith.  I am dealing with some stuff in the local church.  Thinking about how we as Christians often slip and slide around in sin and mediocre living.  After reading half of his book (Wurmbrand), I think "western Christianity" is so weak and anemic because we are simply bored.  We are not DOING ANYTHING.  I will leave you two excerpts of the book, examples of the suffering that his fellow underground church members endured during the harsh communistic rule....

"One of our workers in the Underground Church was a young girl.  The Communist police discovered that she secretly spread Gospels and taught children about Christ.  They decided to arrest her.  But to make the arrest as agonizing and painful as they could, they decided to delay her arrest a few weeks, until the day she was to be married.  On her wedding day, the girl was dressed as a bride- the most wonderful, joyous day in a girl's life!  Suddenly, the door burst open and the secret police rushed in.  When the bride saw the secret police, she held out her arms toward them to be handcuffed.  They roughly put the manacles on her wrists.  She looked toward her beloved, then kissed the chains and said, 'I thank my heavenly Bridegroom for this jewel He has presented to me on  my marriage day.  I thank Him that I am worthy to suffer for Him.'  She was dragged off, with weeping Christians and a weeping bridgroom left behind.  They knew what happens to young Christian girls in the hands of communist guards.  Her bridegroom faithfully waited for her.  After five years she was released- a destroyed, broken woman, looking thirty years older.  She said it was the least she could do for her Christ.  Such beautiful Christians are in the Underground Church." 

One final story to share: 

"It was strictly forbidden to preach to other prisoners, as it is in captive nations today.  It was understood that whoever was caught doing this received a severe beating.  A number of us decided to pay the price for the privilege of preaching, so we accepted their terms.  It was a deal; we preached and they beat us.  We were happy preaching; they were happy beating us- so everyone was happy.  The following scene happened more times than I can remember.  A brother was preaching to the other prisoners when the guards suddenly burst in, surprising him halfway through a phrase.  They hauled him down the corridor to their, 'beating room.'  After what seemed an endless beating, they brought him back and threw him- bloody and bruised- on the prison floor.  Slowly, he picked up his battered body, painfully straightened his clothing and said, 'Now, brethren, where did I leave off when I was interrupted?'  He continued his gospel message."

I think what is lacking in our Western church experience is too much freetime.  God emblazen us with a passion for the Christ, and not be satisfied with church attendance and simple Bible study.  Let us share the gospel even to the point of ridicule and shame.  -  Stuart