Courage in a Despots Cell

Courage in a Despots Cell

The jailer’s push slams her

against the wall.

For a long moment,

she clings to its cool,

smooth surface.

Then in slow motion, slumps to the floor.

Her head dripping  blood, her arms and body bruised and aching from the beating she took.

For a moment, her jailer pauses, watching, as she lays motionless, assessing the enfeebled

figure for signs of life.  Then seeing her stir, he closes the door, causing it to make a cold, empty sound.

She is now alone.

Her face and legs swollen,

every inch of her being in agony.

Too exhausted to move,

she lays where she fell

and softly weeps. 

Though her tears she prays:
“Dear God:
  Protect my Sunday School children from this evil that has overcome me.
Let me show love toward them that beat me.”
In Jesus’ name
Amen.
Her
     Prayer
                        finished,
                                   Quietly she
                                               Passes into Eternity.

According to human watch groups a Christian is killed every eleven minutes for their faith.
In December 2013 MP Jim Shannon said “that although the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion is enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, there are many countries in which these rights are not given.
Shannon alleged that 200 million Christians will be persecuted for their faith this year,(2013) while he said 500 million live in dangerous neighbourhoods.”
German Chancellor Angela Merkel declared that “Christianity is "the most persecuted religion in the world."
According to a report in Reuters news the top ten countries in which Christianity is persecuted in are, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia, Maldives, Mali, Iran, Yemen and Eritrea.
The question I always ask especially from to those who say there is no God, atheistic countries such as North Korea, is why do they fear Christianity?
To countries who’s majority religious groups are not Christians why do they persecute a faith that espouses love for God, Love for one’s neighbour and even love of one’s enemy.
C.S. Lewis made an interesting observation. He wrote,
“Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.”
                                                      C. S. Lewis.
For me as a Christian I can only think that because so many people want to persecute Christians, Christianity must be of infinite importance.