Vonette Bright
General

Several years ago, my friend Ney Bailey was traveling in a country where Christianity is strictly forbidden.  For decades, its citizens have been under the thumb of a hostile, controlling government.

 

While touring the countryside, Ney saw a woman and asked, through an interpreter, if she could take her picture. To Ney’s delight, the woman was pleased to have her photo taken by an American tourist.  After the camera snapped, she thanked Ney by saying, “Go in peace.”

 

Ney responded, “May the Lord’s peace be upon you.” 

 

Later, the interpreter told Ney that the woman had been quite bold to say, “Go in peace.”  It’s the greeting of a believer, and for her to reveal herself to a foreigner was quite risky.

 

Thousands of miles from home, in the middle of nowhere, standing in a cornfield in a country where it was unlawful to be a Christian, Ney met a sister in Christ.  Although they could not communicate in each other’s language, they recognized the Spirit in the other and made a powerful connection.

 

Ney captured this moment in a picture that has ministered to many of us.  The woman’s wrinkled and weatherworn face reveals a very hard life.  Even so, her radiance glows.  Though she lives in bondage, she is personally free.

 

In Galatians 5:1 we read, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.  Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”

 

Where we place our faith determines our liberty.  If we trust in ourselves, we are bound by our own limitations.  If we trust in the government, we are bound by what it can provide.  If we trust in any human institution, we are bound to be disappointed!

 

But when we place our faith in God through the person of Jesus Christ, we experience true liberty.

 

If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”  John 8:36

 

Prayer for today:

 

Lord Jesus, thank You for being a loving, faithful God.  May I learn to depend more and ore on You each day and not on the attractions of this world.  You alone are worthy of my trust.  In Your holy name,  amen.

 

By Vonette Bright, My Heart in His Hands

Do your circumstances determine how you experience God, or does your view of God determine how you experience your circumstances? –Brad Bright

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