“The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall lead them.” (Isaiah 11:6)

In July 2018, a group of Turkish children whose parents are Christian ministry leaders were at summer camp, learning about the history of Paul’s missionary journeys. They sang scripture songs, such as “I am not ashamed of the gospel for it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes…” (Romans 1:16).

That day, Pastor Andrew Brunson was facing his third court hearing after two years in Turkish prisons. He was unjustly accused of participating in a political coup. The children learning about Paul prayed fervently for Brunson’s release, recognizing parallels in the two men’s stories and knowing that their parents, or they themselves, could easily suffer the same fate in this Muslim country.

Brunson was not acquitted after that trial, but he did have the opportunity to tell the court, “My faith teaches me to forgive, so I forgive those who testified against me…It is a privilege to suffer for the sake of Christ.” The outcome was not what the children had hoped and prayed for.  But upon hearing Pastor Brunson’s words, they quietly stood, formed a circle and sang together, “I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back.”

The Apostle Paul, Pastor Brunson, the Turkish Christians, and their children made incredible decisions.  They all knew that following Christ, even into danger and possible death, brings glory to His name. You may not face imprisonment for your faith today, but the question remains:  have you decided that there will be no turning back?

Resource reading:  2 Timothy 2:8-13