Recently, I had the opportunity to celebrate New Years eve and Epiphany in a church that I had not visited in a while. Looking around at the congregation, I found myself wondering, “Is everyone as nervous as I am?” Yes, I am not going to stop going to church just because something might happen. But at the same time, what if something does happen?
I then realized, this is what being a Christian is about. God did not create us to be afraid, but to be strong. If I stand here, and I am attacked, and God forbid die, it is not because the terrorists won, it is because God is ready for me to leave this world. It is hard to know what the will of God is exactly. However, I know that my role in this life is not to hide behind fear. Fear of dying, fear of tragedy, fear of living, is not the plan that God has designed for all of us.
God has created this life for his children, so that we may live the best we can and as humbly as we can. There are many times in life where we are tested. Whether that be by material possessions, by threats of violence, by personal tribulations that we feel we may not be able to conquer. All of these trials, all of these tests, all of these situations that we may face, are meant to act as a tool to make us stronger. When we begin to see things bigger picture and not focus on the present problems, we may actually be able to understand why things are happening the way they are. God has a plan for all of us. In many situations, its hard to see what the plan is, it’s easier to focus on becoming a victim rather than a warrior. The truth is, we are warriors for Christ. The road of Christianity is narrow, it’s not easy.
Fact that I could die going to church and print my God, should not scare me, but rather it should give me strength and hope that I am doing the best I can. If God wants me to live until I am 100 years old or if he wants me to die in the coming year is not up to me. What is up to me is how I live my days. Do I live in fear, or do I live the best I can according to what God has planned for me?
Now in the streets of Cairo I can see all churches boarded up and surrounded by security personnel. This should not change my feelings when I enter into the house of the Lord. I need to be faithful, and I need to be strong because this life it’s not easy now and will not be easier in the future. I invite you all to meditate and really think about your life here on earth. We all have our own suffering and our own insecurities, but that should not change our calling, and our hope.
