I am amazed whenever I hear of Christians who leave their home and families behind to go to a place where they are not welcome as Christians. They go into the unknown because they love the people of that country and want to tell them about Jesus, even though that could get them in a lot of trouble. Recently, I learned about the difficulties of Christians in Tajikistan, and I must admit that while hearing about their plight I felt like I was an overindulged Christian who has not made the most of my opportunities to share the Gospel. I heard of a young Tajik lady who became a Christian and her Muslim family were against this, and they even tried to get her to marry a Muslim man, but she never rejected Jesus and remained faithful to Him. She is blessed and hearing her story is a blessing for many.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:10-12
What is interesting about this young lady’s situation is that her persecutors are also the persecuted. In this country, no religion is readily tolerated, and young people cannot be taught about any religion. Children cannot go to church activities or any religious camps. Religious organizations must be registered with the government to be considered legal. Therefore, there are not many registered churches, and the government announced last year that it will not register any more new protestant churches. Even though there is much persecution, the protestant church in Tajikistan is growing and God is working. Despite this, the churches throughout the country are said to not be united. This disunity among the churches seems like it would make it much harder for them to stand against spiritual warfare which is rife, and a totalitarian government that spies on conversations of Christians and interrogates pastors frequently.
I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. John 17:23
as Jesus prayed for the believers to be one, we should also be praying for the Tajik church to be one and that the Christians in this nation encourage each other through their times of persecution. I think of how privileged so many of us are where we can freely say the name of Jesus and share the Gospel, yet we have not made the most of this privilege. It is important to seize each opportunity to share God’s love. As I spoke to a Christian in Tajikistan, I was amazed at how he could leave his loved ones and all he knew to go to a country where it is uncomfortable and inconvenient to be a Christian. His response is that he has to be faithful with all that God has given him.
His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ Matthew 25:21
How many of us will hear what this servant heard from his master from our Heavenly Father? Are we being faithful stewards of all that God has given us? What are we doing with our gifts and talents to build God’s Kingdom and to point people to eternal life in Christ? What are we doing with our time? Are we being faithful with our resources? Or are we too busy trying to gain material possessions to entertain ourselves rather than to share God’s love?
Then He said to them, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. Luke 10:2
We do have to pray for the Lord of the harvest to send out more labourers to Tajikistan and so many other areas. We also have to pray about where God would have us go, whether it is across the world or down the street. We are all called to faithfully share His word, by not only teaching it through our words, but also our actions. God’s Word is so precious, so if we have the privilege of knowing it, we also have the responsibility of faithfully sharing it.
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