In the stillness, God is there

In the not too distant past, there was a day in which I was in pain for about 5 1/2 hours (I'm female, that's all that needs to be said). It was a pain that was not unbearable, but enough to make me almost puke, and enough to make me cry. It was only the 2nd time I'd ever been in that much pain, and I think it was the longest amount of time. While in bed for most of that time, I concentrated on breathing and talking with Jesus. I knew He was with me, but it sure would have been nice to feel His presence right then. While lying there, our brothers and sisters who are being persecuted because of/for Christ came to mind. They know God is right there with them, too, and I'm sure they'd like to feel His presence while being beaten or while in hiding or while in a jail cell. So I prayed for them during those pain-filled hours, as well.

There's a song I know (and sing in church and youth group sometimes) that's been playing in my head for the past week or two that fits with all of this. Well, many may not have thought about this aspect of the song, like I hadn't, before. I pray you will after reading this, though. The song is "In the Secret" by Andy Park.(If you don't know the song, it's on YouTube and iTunes and many other places on the Web.) Here are the lyrics:


In the secret in the quiet place
In the stillness you are there
In the secret in the quiet hour
I wait only for you
'cause I want to know you more

I want to know you
I want to hear your voice
I want to know you more
I want to touch you
I want to see your face
I want to know you more

I am reaching for the highest goal
That I might receive the prize
Pressing onward, pushing every hindrance aside
Out of my way
'cause i want to know you more

I used to think of a quiet, still place as me being in the woods, on/by a small lake, out shoveling snow or something. Or, maybe in my bed before falling asleep at night. Well, what about the "secret" room where a brother or sister is being held prisoner for owning a Bible? Or the "quiet", "stillness" of solitary confinement in a jail cell because that member of our family told someone about Jesus? Or the "quiet hour" between sessions of physical torture?

Do you think God is with our brothers and sisters there? YES. Do our brothers and sisters know He's there? Most of them, YES. And they're waiting for Him. They just want Christ. They do their best to keep focused on Christ, "pushing every hindrance aside" as they're "reaching for the highest goal"--Christ.

I dare you to think about our brothers and sisters who are being persecuted around the world the next time you hear or sing this song. It enhances the meaning a bit, I think.

Want more information about the persecuted Church? Want to know how to pray for them? How to help? Go to The Voice of the Martyrs website: www.persecution.com.