The Questions: Susanna's Answer

Truth is worth every protection. 

Today, in our world, it’s the first thing to be compromised. We lie every day: to ourselves, to our jobs, to our families and friends. Not just bold-faced lies, no. We take pieces of the truth, the ugly pieces or painful pieces, and hide them away. Sometimes it’s to make ourselves look better, sometimes it’s to save those around us from pain. Often, it’s not even malicious. 

Either way, masking the full truth is in our nature. “Did God really say?” is the question that caused our downfall as humanity, and Eve’s answer, like ours, sounds less like a confidence in God’s word and more like a caveat. 

“Well…” 

With every “well…” or every “I mean…” have we given away the definitive “yes” and “no” of God’s word? Jesus calls Himself the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6) and draws a line of truth in the sand: He is the Only Way, the Only Truth, and the Only Life. Through Christ, no others, we can find eternal salvation from the wickedness of our compromises to His truth.

So how do we put our foot down for truth in love? 

1 Corinthians 13:5-7

“[Love] does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”

Re-read it, without your already formed conclusions and perspective. What does this passage about love teach us about truth? Once love uncovers sin, wrongdoing, it doesn’t gleefully clap its hands and point, “I knew it! I knew you were a sinner!” No! Instead, love looks beyond, to the truth of redemption.

“Thank you, Jesus, for uncovering dark places. You’ve exposed our filthiness not to entertain yourself or use us for your gain, but you’ve instead exposed us to light. In my pit of sin and depraved thinking, I can see the light of your truth now. And I can start to hear your rejoicing, that through your mercy, I can walk towards your truth. Amen.”

That kind of truth, that kind of love, is worth standing for. In humility, we cry out “Jesus, you are good!” and pray that the nations hear as well. Not to expose them and prove ourselves right, but to grab their hands, joyful in new life, and lead them towards that light of His truth.

The Questions: Denise's Answer

People in Iran stood up and protested against their government and have been beaten down again and again. Over 500 protestors have been executed for their courage this year alone. Thousands remain in prison. Despite these hardships, the Christian church in Iran is flourishing and growing faster than any other in the world.

How does the light of Christ reach this country in dark times? International Media Ministries reaches these Iranian people through media made in their own language. We want to invite you to see the world premiere of the English version of a social media piece for Iran. It introduces the story of one woman who had to stand up for many - Esther. 

Join International Media Ministries at the I STAND: Reaching Iran with the Hope of Esther Dinner during the General Council of the Assemblies of God in Columbus, Ohio, and learn how God is moving in Iran. See the world premiere of the English version of the Esther Reveal social media piece currently being shown in Iran. Come hear testimony from “Hasti” a Iranian woman who was persecuted and imprisoned for her faith and her miraculous story of how God brought her to freedom. Learn about the power of media in evangelism from special guest Dave Roever and how you can be a part of bringing hope to Iran.

If you won’t be able to come to the dinner, you can still be a part. Watch for upcoming details of the online premiere of the English version of the Esther Reveal this fall. Learn how you, too, can stand with Esther.

The Questions: Hannah's Answer

John 15:12-13 ESV 

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” 

What do you stand for? What would you risk your life for?

In college, I had a lot of business classes and in those classes, we were asked on multiple occasions, “What motivates you?”. Does money motivate you? Work? Success? In those classes I would always answer, “People. People motivate me”. This was an ideal answer to someone who was studying nonprofit business, but the truth is I have always been motivated by people. So, when I think about these questions, my answer is people. The people I love and the people who cannot stand for themselves. 

My family is incredibly important to me. I would defend them, support them, I would do anything for them. I love them dearly, and I would risk my life for them. I am very thankful to have a very strong bond with my family, to have had constant support and love from them. I would repay them by standing up for them in a heartbeat. My friends that I love dearly, I would stand up for them. I would support and defend them, to help them be the best they can be. 

I stand for the people who cannot stand for themselves. There are so many hurting and overlooked people in the world today. The opportunities in my life have granted me the ability to have a voice when others cannot, to stand up for them. We must care for each other; we must support each other. 

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:12-13). As Christians, we cannot forget that we are called to love one another as God has loved us, unconditionally. We must stand up for those who cannot stand for themselves, we must stand for those we love and care about. Thousands of people stand as Jesus stood and many of them do so at their own risk. We must not allow ourselves to forget this commandment, we must show great love to all of those around us. 

The Questions: Myriam's Answer

As our team has been working on the Esther Mini-Series project, we have been discussing a thought-provoking question: "What would you risk your life for?"

As a mother, my immediate response is, "My children and grandchildren," without a doubt. The unconditional love I have for my family is invaluable, and it would inspire me to put my life on the line for theirs.

However, when I challenge myself to think beyond my family, the answers don't come as readily. Perhaps it's because I have been blessed to live in a country that affords me such freedoms, including the freedom of religion. My parents, immigrants from Cuba, made the incredibly difficult decision to risk their lives for the sake of their children when they fled Cuba. Personally, I have never had to face the same level of risk for my loved ones or for openly professing my Christian faith.

Giving up one's life for Christian beliefs often involves confronting persecution and opposition. It takes immense courage to remain steadfast in the face of threats, discrimination, and violence. Throughout history, martyrs, both ancient and modern, exemplify the unwavering faith and courage required to stand firm in the face of adversity. Their extraordinary courage serves as a powerful inspiration for us to live out our faith boldly and resolutely.

Although the question of risking one's life might not often be a reality in our daily lives, it encourages us to reflect on the courage we exhibit in other areas.  Are we willing to step out of our comfort zones, take risks for the sake of others? Are we willing to speak out against falsehoods, challenge societal norms, defend those who are marginalized, and uphold the teachings of Christ even if it means facing opposition or ridicule? I must admit that I haven't always displayed such courage due to complacency. Yet, my current prayer is that, through the strength of the Holy Spirit, I will step out and stand firm in the everyday "risks" I choose to make an impact and influence others to share the Gospel.

What I do know is that life is a precious gift from God. Jesus sacrificed Himself for me, granting me a fullness of life that can be found in a deep relationship with God. Discovering my purpose, growing in character, cultivating love and relationships, finding hope in times of crisis, and having the assurance of eternal life—all of these blessings are a result of God's work in my life, and I wouldn't give them up for anything. 

So, ask me again, "What would I give my life for?" I hope you have a few minutes because it’s a bit longer of an answer.

The Questions: Rachel's Answer

I am supposed to be answering the question “what do you stand for” or  “what would you risk your life for.”  These are hard questions because as a Christian, I feel like people expect you to answer them a certain way.  The answers of standing for my faith or dying for Christ are what I think everyone would expect.  

Yet, those are “easy” answers to give simply in a way because of that expectation.  They are answers I don’t have to put much thought into because shouldn’t all Christians say that?  They're the “right” answers. When people have been imprisoned, tortured, beaten, and killed for their faith, it makes me not want to give a “right” answer when I’m not facing what they are. The expectations of what to say are there though.  

In addition there are other expectations in my life.  I find it interesting that people have expectations of what a missionary is.  They seem to think that missionaries are spiritual or somehow more special than they are.  The expectations are not reality.  It’s just not true.  I am just here trying to do what God has called me to do.  I guarantee that I am not doing it perfectly.  I am no different from any other Christian, and may very well be less spiritual than you or other Christians.   There are days when I question whether I’m hearing God right or if I am making the right decision.  I am only human, like everyone else.  My failures and flaws are evident for anyone to see.  

That being said, I do think that committing to do missions was a step of faith for me.  In a way, I did have to stand up for what I believed God was calling me to do.  I had to ask for support and tell people God was leading me to do something completely different. Something that may not have made sense.  It made me uncomfortable.  Is it ever easy to ask for help? Asking people to support me wasn’t easy.  There were days I had to stand against the doubt or the uncertainty that I faced.  There were days I was discouraged because I wasn’t raising and didn’t  end up raising enough.  I had to shorten my time here because of that.  I definitely had questions, doubts, and uncertainties.  

Just because I’m not in Spain, doesn’t mean everything is easy.  There have been hard days in the midst of the good.  I have learned that just because God calls me to something doesn’t mean I won’t have doubts sometimes. Yet I am grateful for every day that I have here.  I don’t know what my future holds.  But I believe that God will continue to lead and guide me.  He has promised to never leave or forsake us so He will always be with me.  

How does this relate to the question: what do I stand for?  My answer may not make sense to you.  Instead of just giving you a “right” answer, what if we rethink the question and our answers?  What if we reframe our thoughts surrounding the question?  When I think of standing for something, I think of small steps of obedience and fighting through doubt and fear for what God is calling me to do. Each step of obedience is standing.  Standing now may lead to me standing for something bigger in the future.  Before Esther went to the king and was willing to sacrifice her life for her people, she had to keep her faith while living in a castle with more luxuries than she’d had before in her life.   Before Daniel stood for his faith and was thrown into the lions’ den, he had to stand and publicly practice his faith.  He prayed 3 times a day and had done it long enough and consistently enough that the men trying to destroy him knew about it.  

What do I stand for?  I stand for the small acts of obedience today that may lead to standing for something bigger in the future.  Each small act of obedience is one more chance to stand for my faith, even if that act seems insignificant.  God sees it and knows. He knows that obeying can take courage even if it’s just a small step forward.  Even if it feels like a life of continual small, seemingly insignificant times of standing in obedience, it matters to God.  One day, we’ll see how all those small steps of obedience do count. The times we stood when we thought it wasn’t anything important will give us the strength to stand if we ever face something we consider more significant.   Even if I never have to stand for my faith the way my brothers and sisters in persecuted countries do, I am still standing and growing and doing what God is calling me to.  My hope is that I continue to stand each time God asks me for another step of obedience.  In the end, it will lead me closer to Him, and that is what I want.  Isn’t that the prize, the goal? To know God more and be with Him for all eternity.  That’s why I believe it’s important to rethink the question and give an answer that applies to my everyday life, not something that may or may not happen in the future.  I need to stand  and obey today so I can know and love God more now. 

The Questions: Kerry's Answer

It’s Monday morning in Spain. We’ve had a lot of rain. And yes, we live on the plain. The heat of imminent summer ignites a little bit of dread in my bones. Last summer, during my second bout of COVID, I kept myself home for a week. We didn’t have air-conditioning, so I camped in a dark corner of the duplex we rent, laying restlessly on the cool tile floors for relief.

What would you risk your life for? What do you stand for?

Those questions are easy… God, Family, Ideals. Some days a triumphant ending would be a welcome relief, perhaps catching a fiery dart in the chest from some godless horde, fist clutching a banner of some sort, dropping defiantly to the knees, eyes cast toward heaven with a shout.

But life only grants the Hollywood ending to a few, and usually the brave souls are wet and deep in mud, which brings me back to my point. Mud can be cold, crossing a field can be exhausting.

Dying can be easy. Living can be hard. The missionary prize often goes to the sloggers, those that have left family behind years ago to fend for themselves, those unnoticed souls who  stand alone under clouds, soaked by rains of insecurity, fantasizing about a large Diet Coke and a warm chicken sandwich, yet they see the other field-hands striving way in the distance so they pick up that hoe - that pick once again, and swing it back down. WHACK! Observers who care to look say “You’re standing in the rain!” Yes. “Why don’t you get a better umbrella?” Yeah. WHACK!

Before I hold forth too sanctimoniously, know this. There is no other option for me, or for you. You will not find peace, joy, kindness, rest, and all the other sweet fruits I can’t remember anywhere else in the world right now. Your options are being squeezed out you see. The physical illusions we have built for ourselves are fading. Reality is tipping. Maybe you, like me, have felt harried and harassed into this realization. Emotions are queasy. “Where is the fulfillment I’ve been promised?”, we ask God. “Is this really holy? I’ve missed something. Maybe I’ve missed the shuttle bus to the funfair. It’s barren out here!”

Perhaps you have now learned to live with a series of bruises. Old ones. New ones. Your ankles hurt from the uneven ground, shoulder still complain. That is the cross we carry you see. You are in the middle of a holy act. We long for the other country, the other garden. Don’t drop whatever tool you have in whatever field you are and go wait on the bus for the foreman to call it a day. That bus is packed, loud and crowded and not leaving the parking lot before the work is over. Come back out into the wind-lashed fields where risk is everywhere, and standing is an act of worship.

Out here, the Gospel is all we have, and it is worth everything to understand that that truth. Once we have this gem embedded deep in our frail frames, we will have to live it out because there will be no other option, no other respite.

Endure. Sweat. Breath hard. Cry. Our weather is about to change, and storms are forecast for this afternoon. Laugh with the thunder.