If you’re like me, you found the tragedy at Virginia Tech “unspeakably
horrible”. As I watched the costliest shooting rampage in the history of
our nation unfold and began to see “faces” of the victims, I wondered about
those who simply grabbed a cup of coffee, their backpack and rushed
unthinking to class . . and to eternity . . this week.
I found myself praying for those suffering the horrendous loss of friends or
family who died, and that in some way GOD would still receive the glory.
Then I heard the story of Jarrett Lane, 22, from Narrows VA who was a leader
in the campus Bible studies. And Lauren McCain, 20, from Hampton VA who was
majoring in international studies and already a missionary, having received
Campus Crusade training to build ‘bridges’ to the foreign students on VT’s
campus. And Mary Read, only 19, from Annandale VA who was also an outspoken
Christian witness on campus.
We can always ask “what if?” and that is probably normal. But we know that
with God there are no accidents, and that all things – even the lives of
three strong Christians (and I’m sure others among the victims were truly
born again as well) being snatched – ALL things work together for the good
of those who love God.
But overshadowed in the paper and not mentioned on the networks was the fate
of Tilman Ekkehart Geske, a German missionary who went to central Turkey to
work in publishing and distributing Bibles to this predominantly Muslim
nation.
He worked in Malayta with two Turkish Christians (Christians are less than
1% of the population) for the past 4 years printing Bibles and tracts. They
were all members of the Reformed Baptist church in Izmir (ancient Smyrna).
My church here in Wyoming is Reformed Baptist, so a chord was struck that
reverberated in my heart.
Five Muslim brothers broke into the Zivre publishing house, bound Tilman and
fellow workers for Christ hand and foot and systematically slit their
throats. The brothers carried a note saying they were going to their death
if need be to kill the missionaries and stop the spread of the Bible.
Brother Geske entered heaven with hands bound, a throat cut . . but
beautiful feet.
And a reminder . . from a quiet American campus or from the hotbed of
Islamic hatred. If another generation is to answer the millennia-old plea
and take the Gospel to all the world so that anyone may call on the Lord and
be saved, they know this week there IS a cost.
~~
Dr Bob Griffin, www.grif.net
1 cross + 3 nails = 4 given