Acknowledging Danger

Josh must be exaggerating about the danger. She didn’t want to think about it. Her words came out sounding defiant. “It’s not that bad!”

Jacob came to her rescue. “Don’t try to scare her, Josh. She’s got enough on her hands without that.”

Josh tossed his hair back. His eyes caught hers and held them for a long moment. “A good scare might be just what is needed right now.” He pushed himself away from the tree and strode off.

It's just the excerpt from my book “Susie's Story”, a true story of course, but one that happened to my mother a long time ago, way over in Russia. It couldn't have anything pertinent to do with what is happening to us today, in our democratic country, or could it?

Things were changing rapidly in Russia in the late 1920s, but to Susie and her mother, acknowledging the dangers would mean having to step out of their comfort zones, not something they were prepared to do until it was almost too late. A “good scare” did wake them up to their danger, and the story ended triumphantly, but what about us now.

I know we don't have the option that Susie's family did. The Canadian CPR had put out a call for the Mennonites to come and settle in western Canada providing them with a loan for the money to get there. It was a short window of opportunity, and the Plett family were part of the last group to come across before Canada closed it's doors.

Running from the coming persecution is not an option for most of us, but it still is important to acknowledge our situation, and be prepared. Maybe God is depending on us to be a comforter; maybe a prayer warrior. As Christians we all have a purpose in this life, and we should be asking our Heavenly Father to fulfill that purpose in us.

As far as just moving away from our problem like Susie's family did, there is really no place left to go. But then again, maybe I am wrong. Maybe there is one place left. Yes, it is true, there is one place, and one place alone that is still safe. It is a secret place, a safe place, a place of refuge, a fortress.

Psalm 91:1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. 3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. 4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

Yes, we do have a place to flee to, just as Susie and her family did; we can flee to Christ, and no matter what the future holds for us, we can rest secure in Him. But that door will soon be closing. This is no time to hold onto a false sense of security. We need, above all things, to make absolutely certain we are found in Jesus Christ.