In his book, The Jesus Revolution, Leith Anderson recounts a trip that he and some colleagues were making to a Communist country where Christians were being persecuted. They were presented with something of a dilemma when a connecting flight left them in a neighboring country overnight. Christians from that country met with them and asked them to smuggle some Bibles into the Communist country that was their destination. That’s where the following excerpt picks up:
Overnight, I made a decision. A Bible or two might be risky, but not impossible. However, I wasn't prepared for the following morning's delivery. It was a small library of Bibles, books about Christianity, study tools, and videos.
I truly can't explain why we did what we did. We divided up the Bibles, books, and videos among the four of us and loaded up every available space in our suitcases, carry-on bags, and purses. It was not a comfortable experience. When nearing our destination, the flight attendants distributed customs forms representing our names, passport numbers, and the answers to pointed questions. Were we bringing guns, narcotics, or literature into the country? The four of us sat paralyzed over what to write. If we said we were not bringing literature, we were lying. If we checked that we were bringing books and Bibles, we were in serious trouble. …
It was one of those moments when the Holy Spirit gave a simple solution that we would not have thought about ourselves. We didn't answer the question. We left it blank. I can't say that we were confident in our choice, but that's what we did. As we passed through immigration surrounded by armed guards and immigration officers, our forms were carefully scrutinized and all four of us were waved through.
What I next remember is the secret night meeting when we turned over the Bibles and literature to Christians from the underground church. Their faces still remain with me all my life.
I would like to have seen their faces. I have Bibles all over my house. I have literally tripped over them before. They are a common facet of the scenery. I’ve spent my life studying scripture. And yet I wonder who values the Bible more, me with my seminary education, or a factory worker who has waited months or years to hold a Bible of his own, who will then go hide it in a special place that only he knows about so it won’t be confiscated?
This Sunday we’re going to read about some people whom Paul encounters on one of his journeys through Greece. These people valued scripture. They turned to it for answers. And, because they had scripture, they were unafraid to hear Paul’s and Silas’ message. I hope that we will have the same courage to search for God’s guidance in scripture.
Overnight, I made a decision. A Bible or two might be risky, but not impossible. However, I wasn't prepared for the following morning's delivery. It was a small library of Bibles, books about Christianity, study tools, and videos.
I truly can't explain why we did what we did. We divided up the Bibles, books, and videos among the four of us and loaded up every available space in our suitcases, carry-on bags, and purses. It was not a comfortable experience. When nearing our destination, the flight attendants distributed customs forms representing our names, passport numbers, and the answers to pointed questions. Were we bringing guns, narcotics, or literature into the country? The four of us sat paralyzed over what to write. If we said we were not bringing literature, we were lying. If we checked that we were bringing books and Bibles, we were in serious trouble. …
It was one of those moments when the Holy Spirit gave a simple solution that we would not have thought about ourselves. We didn't answer the question. We left it blank. I can't say that we were confident in our choice, but that's what we did. As we passed through immigration surrounded by armed guards and immigration officers, our forms were carefully scrutinized and all four of us were waved through.
What I next remember is the secret night meeting when we turned over the Bibles and literature to Christians from the underground church. Their faces still remain with me all my life.
I would like to have seen their faces. I have Bibles all over my house. I have literally tripped over them before. They are a common facet of the scenery. I’ve spent my life studying scripture. And yet I wonder who values the Bible more, me with my seminary education, or a factory worker who has waited months or years to hold a Bible of his own, who will then go hide it in a special place that only he knows about so it won’t be confiscated?
This Sunday we’re going to read about some people whom Paul encounters on one of his journeys through Greece. These people valued scripture. They turned to it for answers. And, because they had scripture, they were unafraid to hear Paul’s and Silas’ message. I hope that we will have the same courage to search for God’s guidance in scripture.