The Ones Who Cause the Earth to Groan

photo by Cody Redmon

We are on the precipice of a great unveiling.  Since before time began, there has been a great dispute - a great battle.  It has not been a true struggle in the sense of having two equal opponents.  The One has always been superior in every way.  It is only the ability to deceive that has given the inferior any foothold.  Although the overwhelming sovereignty of the One has been displayed time and again, the weak minds and souls of men have continued to be swayed by the schemes of the lesser one.

The earth groans.  It has watched the rise and fall of many men and nations as some have believed, as many are deceived.  It waits for a specific man - a specific nation.  It waits and anticipates their unveiling - their release onto the earth - for where they walk, no darkness can stay.  When they speak, no deception can persuade otherwise.  They carry Life which has overcome death on every front.  They are those who have walked through the waters, but knew their God was with them, and were not overcome.  They have stood in the fire, but the flames did not kindle upon them.  They have been mocked and scorned, but thought it worthy to suffer for the One to Whom they have entrusted their every breath.  They are not afraid, although confronted on every side, for they have seen the faithfulness and fortitude of their Salvation.  The earth anticipates these, for they carry within them the One, Jesus,  to whom the earth owes its very existence.

There has always been the faithful in the midst of the trial.  There has always been light in the darkness.  What will make this day unlike any other?  It is like asking, when filling a glass with water, "What makes one drop any different from the others?"  At some moment the glass will be full; at some moment it will overflow.  And at a moment unlike any other in history, darkness will reach a point of overflow.  But on that day, according to God's great plan, Light will also pour forth in unprecedented display.

Jesus spoke continually of the Kingdom of God being like that which is hidden for a season only to be revealed in fullness - as seeds planted in the ground, as leaven in flour.  That which our God has been planting and perfecting from the first day will mature to fullness at the perfect time.  In hiddenness, the Lord has been pouring Himself without measure into those whose hearts are truly pure before Him; those who wait in silence and trust.  At some moment, these hearts will overflow upon the earth - not because they are the great or strong, but the humble full of Truth and Peace.  This release will not be a trickle, but a deluge.  It will be a flood as in Noah's day, but of Life and Liberty.  Hold on to this truth.  Hold on to the whispers of the Spirit in the night.  His Light will break forth in your darkness as you are revealed for the son that He has been making you to be and you will join with all of His sons to reveal the One who has always been the superior.

If You Believe

I'm reading an amazing book: The Heavenly Man by Brother Yun with Paul Hattaway. I was drawn to it the first time I saw it , like I am to most books about Christian martyrs or the Chinese Church. I passed it by at that time, though, I think because I didn't have the money. Now, a year later, it crossed my path again and I quickly ordered it.

I had barely read the introduction and my heart was burning. Again I saw a depth of passion and resolve that is the unmistakable mark of the Life of Christ. The opening paragraphs tell of Brother Yun being arrested in 2001 for his involvement in spreading Christianity in China; he was beaten nearly to death and sentenced to seven years in prison. A message that was carried out of the prison to concerned family and friends did not reflect pain or loss, however. Instead, it read, "God has sent me to be his witness in this place. There are many people here who need Jesus. I will be in this prison for exactly the length of time God has determined. I won't leave one moment early and I won't stay one moment too long. When God determines my ministry in prison is complete, I will come out." Only faith refined in the fire of God could answer this way.
I remember a day last fall while walking by the river. The sound of the cold water and the crunch of fallen leaves spoke of the approaching winter. As I looked up at the bare cottonwood trees around me, the Holy Spirit asked, What do you see? I answered back in my mind: Death. No, hibernation. No... Then before I could go on, the Spirit answered His own question: In season. I had to pause and think before the words sunk in. The stark, naked tree in front of me that looked like death wasn't really dead; it was perfectly in season.

Those simple words have come back to me so many times. Often outward appearances can lead one to think that circumstances are against us. And, without Christ, they may well be. John 10:10 does warn us that the thief's purpose is to steal, kill, and destroy. But the second half of the verse gives us the more accurate picture when we are trusting in Truth: "My purpose is to give life in all its fullness." Jesus is Life. There is no death in Him, and He has conquered death for all who believe this. Therefore, no matter the circumstances we find ourselves in, there Life will be when Christ is in us.

Brother Yun found himself bloody and bruised, but still proclaimed the Life of Christ that resided within him. He knew that wherever he was, Jesus was with him bringing hope and joy, peace and victory. Circumstances that look negative on the outside will prove only to be stepping stones for the glory of God to those who believe that there is no place where Life cannot push through. Just like a bare tree looks pretty bleak but still carries life within that will break forth in spring, our lives will also burst forth with hope and promise as we believe and trust in the purpose of each season.

May the words Jesus spoke to Martha moments before raising her brother, Lazarus, from the dead, be with us always:

"Didn't I tell you that you will see God's glory if you believe?" (John 11:40)