Well, this book puts the reader on a deep, emotional journey opening your eyes to the persecuted Christian church in China. Even though this book is fiction it really shed some light on what Christians in China are put through and the encouraging fact that they still meet in underground churches despite the daily threat on their very lives, the confiscation of their homes or the brutal punishment by the government. What a faith huh?
As I sat there reading what one Christian "Li Quan" in particular went through for his faith it opened my eyes to how much America has made our lives so comfortable that we hardly recognize God in the everyday needs that we face. Food, water, shelter, medicine, amoung many others. In a way America is blind to God and his desire to meet our every need because American meets so much of them for us. In China the bible to Christians is their most prized posession - they hide it and yearn to read God's word and the treasures that lie within it's pages. They risk their lives and the lives of their families to worship God and serve him only in the underground churches which meet in the dead of night and Christians often have to travel hours to reach it.
In a way I envy them. They do not fear death or life in prison or brutal beatings due to their faith. They stand firm and know that God will take care of them and their families and has an eternal home for them if they will only be faithful.
At the end of this book I was convicted of how easy my life has been and if I were arrested and beaten for my faith if I would have the courage and strength to stand firm in my Savior. I believe that humanly it would be impossible but with God I could withstand the brutalist of punishments and with that kind of faith I can do anything for Him and will if he so calls me to it.
I especially liked the picture that he painted of heaven. It brought tears to my eyes to realize that no human words can even put into text how great heaven will be and Randy Alcorn did a pretty good job. It made me yearn for that place and long to fall into the arms of my heavenly father and for him to put his loving hands upon me and to hear him say "Well done, my good and faithful servant". It would be worth the years of pain and turmoil on this earth.
A great read!!
Rating: 9
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