I have just finished reading the third book of the riveting Mark of the Lion Series by Francine Rivers. For the past three weeks those books have sucked me in to the fictional lives of unshakeable Christians in the early church living in Rome, Ephesus, and Germania. Each day I have found myself yearning for a few hours, or even precious minutes to feel the pages of these moving stories envelope me, holding me captive from my surroundings and yet helping me escape from the stress and business of my everyday life.
In these telltale sagas, I followed the lives of simple Christians, witnessing the power of Christ in gladiator arenas, in Germanian tribes, and through slavery. I saw the power of prayer unfold, and watched as people's lives got flipped upside down by the mysteries of Jesus. In these stories I felt Christ's presence all around. I experienced little fear, and was constantly astonished at what Christ could do. Though these are only fictional accounts that a brilliant author wrote, I know similar things have happened in the early church. I had unshakeable faith when reading these stories, and each day and night I itched to read more. They made me feel safe, because in the end, I knew God's will would prevail.
But the last pages of the series have been read, and now instead of hungering for the next adventure to begin, I feel bereft, wondering, "what now"? I've read these accounts of witnesses for Christ. I read how they endured some of the daily troubles I still endure today- impatience, fear, anxiety... the list can go on. And even though I applauded those characters to do what was right and to push those troubling thoughts from their minds, I find myself struggling in my own life with them. I know what the "what now" is. I know what God is asking of me- to follow Christ's example, just as the character in the books did. When they faced trials of many kinds, they found hope in the Lord. They loved and forgave their enemies. They prayed unceasingly. And I know this is what Christ asks of me. To find hope in him. "Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken." Psalms 62:5-6 When life gets hard, and doubts and fears arise, that is when it is most important to find hope in God.
In Matthew 11:28-30, Christ said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." The only way I can find rest for my soul and peace for my mind is through Christ.
