Living in the United States is much different than it was a decade ago, or even just last year. Politics aside – which would involve a much longer conversation and a fair amount of controversy – I’ve seen “equal rights” increase substantially for some groups, while rapidly decreasing for others. As a Christian, I’ve never witnessed a more challenging time to speak Bible-truth with complete assurance of religious freedom. (Which is guaranteed by our Constitution. Just saying…) But it’s also never been more important to do so.

Time is getting short, and I’m close to the end of blogging “The Story Behind the Story”. Chapter 29 of The Bridge from OneDayBow is going to bring this all into focus in a big way. Last time, in chapter 28, we considered the spiritual warfare Tim faced in his recovery from a severe injury. Perhaps you’ve found it hard to understand why God allows such things in the lives of believers, and even considered them counterproductive to our faith, but I would encourage you that it is the exact opposite. In the heat of battle, what we generally want is “Out!”, but endurance -training is necessary. It produces much good, as the book of James in the New Testament assures us. And the first chapter of the book of 1 Peter also affirms that the testing of our faith is like the refining process in which our faith is proven genuine. And like gold, it grows more solid.

So, how did that work out for Tim? Good in every way! As we come to chapter 29 of The Bridge from OneDayBow, we see Tim focused on the Son’s return and eager to spread His Word. But honestly, sharing the Good News of the King in HereAndNow was going to take a lot of endurance. Things were changing rapidly, and the People of the Book were seen as narrow minded and bigoted. It was insisted by the powers in authority that they accept a broader worldview or face the elimination of their freedom of speech. In other words, if Tim had something to say it must go through a tolerance filter before being verbalized. Which meant his right of free speech had already been infringed on! So, what did Tim do? He obeyed the King despite the evil edict:

But Tim would not be silenced, and would not go away.

When a crowd showed up to hear what tempters had to say,

Tim tried to turn attention away from bobble spiel,

And said – while smashing bobbles! – “The fable is not real!”

Wow! Granted, by that time Tim was shaking, but he wasn’t going to stop now:

“The lie has lasted too long – the legend is pretend!

Those who have the most bobbles won’t win at city’s end.

Why would you think that bobbles have power to provide

Permanent security beyond where you reside?

You cannot build a tower that reaches past the sky –

Or become invincible, no matter what you try.

Giving up your nooma to the tempters won’t buy peace.

Only if you trust the King can pointless striving cease.”

Amen! Preach it Tim! Preach it – while you still can.

Yes, tempters were maliciously circling around. Yes, the authorities were positioned to make Tim’s life really miserable. Yes, human nature being what it is, Tim experienced some fearfulness. But, Tim knew the Truth and he had to speak it. He knew the Truth that could save people, and he knew the truth of judgment they’d face if they refused to believe the King and receive His free gift of forgiveness and reconciliation through His Son. And Tim knew, really believed what the Word foretold, the time is short.

How about you, my Christian friend? Do you know that as well? The age of grace is about to pass, and people will stand accountable before a Holy God. Yes, we all have fears, but our passion for the salvation of the lost must stir us to action while we still have opportunity. What I say to you, I say to myself:

Preach it – while you still can!