the ultimate final exam

it has not been very long since the world got a major slap in the face from an online video featuring the execution of 21 Coptic Christians in Egypt.  

every news station that i saw reports from stated shock and outrage that any religious fanatics would do that to another human being.

every secular/non-religious friend who posted anything responded likewise, often continuing on in their criticisms of religion as a whole, the concept of a God condoning any act of violence (or any act at all) against another person's belief structure. 

and me?

i joined with my fellow church members and prayed.  we prayed for peace to rest on their families.  we prayed for the love of Christ to reach those members of ISIS who are so taken in by a religion of hatred and lies. we prayed for so many Christians abroad who are facing similar threats to their lives, families and freedom.

but we also rejoiced- quietly,  slightly muted because of the extreme horror or such an ugly display of evil- but yes, there was some rejoicing.  we rejoiced that these Christians faced the greatest test of faith and passed with an A+.  it's not like ISIS gave much of a pop quiz before the final exam, but even at the end their faith did not waver.

terrorists can wave those heads around like trophies and exclaim all they want about their triumph, their god, their truth.

but my brothers in Christ are in heaven, with perfect heads that are currently supporting bright, shining crowns. and their mouths are singing the same song they sang on Earth, only louder and more fervently than ever before.  instead of kneeling before terrorists facing the "end,"  they are kneeling before the throne of God Almighty where there IS NO END.

both the terrorists and martyrs were shouting victory at the exact same moment: ISIS because they could take life here on Earth, and the Christians because they now had more Life than ISIS could ever fathom, let alone take away.

i honestly couldn't say how i'd handle the same test these martyrs took.  i've got the study guides of those gone before me.  i've got the biggest textbook ever- the Bible, written by the Teacher Himself.  i've got some incredible study buddies who have as their mission in life stretching and encouraging my faith.  i want to believe i'd flounce out of the exam room like a giddy ballerina, but i don't trust myself that much.  i do trust Him, though, and His promise is that one way or another we will find ourselves alongside our fellow Church members, celebrating for all eternity. the tears we shed now will remain in this current "past," along with the lies, sin and destruction that plague this world.  Jesus before His own execution told his friends that the ruler of this Earth would be overcome later.  we're still waiting for that "later," but it's coming and even this skirmish that ISIS thinks it won will be reclaimed, along with all of Creation.

i mourn the loss of life, and that a false truth would distort true Truth to such an extent- but i'm also at peace, knowing Who is really in control of the entire situation and Who has already won the war and promised us a share in the victory.