Always Christ

Before I went to sleep last night, I read a story.

(Excerpt taken from By Their Blood,: Christian Martyrs from the Twentieth Century and Beyond by James C. Hefley, Marti Hefley)

One of those who escaped the camp was a young girl of eighteen who stumbled into an American camp. "Are you in pain?" a nurse asked when she arrived.

"No," she replied, "but I have learned the meaning of the cross." The nurse thought she was mentally disoriented and questioned her further. Pulling down the one garment she wore, the young girl exposed a bare shoulder. There, burned deeply into her flesh, was the figure of the cross.

"I was caught with others in my village. The Turks stood me up and asked, 'Muhammad or Christ?' I said, 'Christ. Always Christ.' For seven days they asked me this same question and each day when I said 'Christ', a part of this cross was burned into my shoulder. On the seventh day they said, 'Tomorrow if you say 'Muhammad' you will live. If not, you will die.' Then we heard that Americans were near and some of us escaped. That is how I learned the meaning of the cross."

This incident happened during the Armenian Memorial Day Massacre on April 24, 1915. Even though this scenario happened almost 100 years ago, this level of persecution is still prevalent today. But for us living in our comfy homes, nice cars, and more luxuries than we can count, we face the same question the young girl did. It might not be choosing between Muhammad or Christ...but between the music you listen to...or Christ. Hanging out with your friends....or Christ. Being quiet....or Christ. What would you choose? In every scenario, do you choose Christ? Always?

Think about it...

God bless,

Jobbin