A Beautiful Quote
When I began packing to come to Asia, I decided to bring along a few books. I wish I had brought more, but hindsights twenty-twenty. So I packed a study that I had done about 4 or 5 years ago and loved and decided it would be great to revisit while here. Unfortunately with all the traveling, etc. I just this week got started. I had written all kind of notes in the workbook and it was interesting to see how the Father has worked in my life since then and to reflect back on what He was doing then.
The first section, week one talks about persecution and how our brothers of old went through such bad times, but they always had joy and were full of the Spirit. I marveled at some of my notes four years ago and thought about how much deeper those statements ring true in my mind now in the present. Wow, I couldn't have even begun to grasp the reality and truth of those verses back then, but I do now or so I thought.
One such statements I had marked, "Remember this!" It was a quote from a graduation speech given in 1932 at the ceremony of a well known "school of the Book" in Illinois. It was given by a man named John Stam. (the italized words are changes in original words that couldn't be used) The quote by Mr. Stam is as follows:
"Let us remind ourselves that the Great C was never qualified by clauses calling for advance only if funds were plentiful and no hardship or self-denial involved. On the contrary, we are told to expect tribulation and even persecution, but with it victory in Him.....It is ours to show, in salvation of our L J.C., and in personal communion with Him, a joy unspeakable and full of glory that cannot be affected by outside circumstances." (for more info look up John.... on google, you'll understand the whole story)
Oh, the irony that four years ago I circled this man's name, his place and his quote.
When I read it yesterday, I thought now Father I get it. I understand today because I see it as here in this place it stares you in the face. Or so I thought.... I learned today that I have no idea or realistic grasp of the quote and have a lesson or two to be learned from other brothers and sisters. Lift up the persecuted bro. & sisters of the world.
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