Life Together: "The Hiding Place"

Recently I read "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom. What an extraordinary read! If you're looking for a captivating, true story I recommend picking up this book. Her story is one that shows the value of faith in God despite the most horrific circumstances.

From Corrie's life story I have been reminded of some valuable lessons that are also taught in scripture, but can be hard for me to live out. One of these lessons is to pray for my enemies. It is one thing to ignore or tolerate those who hurt me, but as Christians we are called to do more. With strength that can only come from the Spirit we are commanded (invited?) to pray for our enemies. This has been very convicting to me because my tendency is to pray for those who are close to me, those who I love and who love me back. Praying for our enemies is challenging, but can also bring healing because as we pray for those who have wronged us our hearts soften, and we realize that we are just as sinful and in need of God's grace as the most evil person we can think of.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect." Matthew 5:43-48

That's hard to do, isn't it? If our lives are to stand out in contrast to the ways of the world, this is how we must deal with the people at church that irritate us, the people that spread a rumor about us, the people that have cheated us and broken our trust, the people that fail to keep their promises. So how do we start this daunting task of loving and praying for our enemies? Do we muster up all our strength and give it our best shot? I know that if I were to do it on my own strength it would be completely hopeless and heartless. Thankfully I have a Helper to walk me down this road of love and forgiveness. My own plans and methods will certainly fail unless I invite God into this process. May my prayers and my love for the enemies in my life find their basis in God alone.

Now for some Lydia pictures...