Target

Christianity, particularly in the west, is perceived as only being for the weak, meak and mild.  It is seen as being a religion for those who need a crutch to help them get through life and for those who don’t really have a life.  Being a follower of Jesus is definitely not easy and not for the faint hearted.  It is not an escape from the evil of the world but a step into the battle with the evil One.  Jesus’ close friend Peter writes to the early church that those who decide to follow Jesus automatically have a target placed on their back and a price on their head. Anyway and anyhow the evil One will try to isolate, intimidate and eliminate. It is easy to pick off the target if they are alone, uncertain and weak, just like a lion would do when hunting for a kill.  In many parts of the world today followers of Jesus are facing physical persecution more than at any other time in history.  For us though the opposition is less obvious and more subtle.  It comes through doubt, distraction and division.  Do what we can to watch out for each other, keep together and stay on track.