It has been 500 years since an awakening brought us the Reformation. As the Western Church, we have gone through seasons of persecution, seasons of changes, and much transformation. The church’s influence can be seen in many aspects of our society. We see so much of God’s grace and yet we also see devastating results of our sinful nature in our culture.
Many times we forget the privileges and opportunities we have been given as a free, stable church. Let’s remember these three things to be thankful for:
1. We can worship freely
More than 200 million Christians around the world today are under persecution for their faith. We have the privilege to walk into a church any day of the week, say a prayer, and lift our hands in adoration. Many of our brothers and sisters are unable to do these simple things that we take for granted.
2. We have abundance of resources
We have access to countless Bible translations, formats and sizes. We have the freedom to study God’s word using the Bible and the writings of countless heroes of the faith. We have so many resources, written and otherwise, to help our spiritual growth.
In many locations, a Bible is a rare sight and may even be illegal to carry around. You can be killed or sent to jail for simply having a page of the Word of God. We are thankful for the opportunity to have access to so many resources
3. We can make a difference
With all of the freedom and resources that the Western church has, there also comes a Calling. We have the privilege and responsibility of being the voice of those that are voiceless, of sharing the Good News and standing beside our brothers and sisters that are persevering in their faith through insurmountable circumstances.
Today, you and I can make a difference in the reality of the suffering church and Christians. With a heart-filled prayer and a simple word of encouragement, we can connect with the body of Christ around the world.
You can be an agent of Hope to the church around the world. And that is something to be thankful for!
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