Apao RL
The Brightness in the Foothills of Sikkim: The greatest lesson I have ever learned about a faith that stands did not come from listening to hundreds of preachers or attending the many lectures during my seminary years. It came through a single encounter during the early days of my ministry—a moment that became a living sermon and a message louder than words, one that has remained with me for the rest of my life. In April 2014, I met a dying mother in the foothills of Sikkim. She was a stranger to me; I met her only once, and I never knew anything more about her condition or whereabouts. Yet that brief encounter left an unforgettable impression upon my soul. The air of Sikkim was fresh, but my heart carried a heavy burden as I walked into a quiet room where a mother lay bedridden, fighting her final earthly battle. Cancer had claimed her strength, and her time had dwindled to approximately one month. What human words could possibly comfort her? What melody could soothe a soul standing at the threshold of eternity? Yet, as I crossed the threshold, the darkness I had anticipated vanished. Her face did not bear the shadow of death; instead, it shone with a breathtaking brightness. In that room, I encountered a faith that stands—a faith that shines even when the body is fading, a faith that remains steadfast even when earthly life is drawing to a close. Her presence reminded me that the light of Christ can shine most beautifully in the darkest moments, and that true faith is not a fair-weather faith, measured by the absence of suffering, but by the presence of Christ in the midst of it.
The Whisper of Grace and the Echo of Babylon: I asked her what we should pray for. Her body was frail, and her voice was barely a whisper, yet the words she spoke carried the strength of diamonds and became forever engraved upon my soul: “Even if I die, I will be with Christ. But please, pray for my children. Pray that they may find His grace, just as I have known it.” In the presence of death, she did not beg for more time; instead, she anchored her soul in eternity and traded fear for a legacy of love. Her fragile voice carried a message that reached far beyond that quiet room, drawing my heart back to the blazing furnace of Babylon, where three brave souls stood before a powerful king and declared, “Our God is able to deliver us. But even if He does not, we will not bow to another.” The faith of that mother and the faith of those three men proclaimed the same unwavering anthem: a faith that does not demand conditions, a trust that does not break when the flames grow hot, and a confidence that remains steadfast even when God’s answer is different from what we desire. What a powerful challenge this is to our own hearts! Can we trust God not only when He delivers us from the fire, but also when He chooses to walk with us through it? May we learn to rest in His faithfulness, knowing that our eternal hope is secure in Christ, regardless of the circumstances we face.
A Faith That Stands Through Every Storm of Life: To live in a world filled with uncertainties, unprecedented experiences, suffering, and challenges requires a faith that is unshaken and enduring. To walk with the living God is to possess a faith that stands, for without faith it is impossible to please Him. The peace of those who possess a faith that stands is not the absence of storms, struggles, suffering, or challenges; rather, it is the assurance of Christ’s presence in the midst of every circumstance. This faith empowers us to stand tall even if the storm rages around us, even if suffering finds us, even if struggles disrupt our rhythm, and even if challenges cloud our vision. We do not walk in despair, because our hope is not anchored in circumstances but in the One who holds us securely. We count the fellowship of suffering as joy, knowing that even our deepest trials can draw us closer to Christ. We stand because we know the One in whom we believe, and we rest securely in His nail-scarred hands. He is able to keep us safe until that glorious final Day. Therefore, let us remain anchored in a faith that stands, trusting God when the path is clear and when the way is uncertain, when the answer is yes and when the answer is even if. For our God is faithful, Christ is enough, and our eternal hope is secure in Him. Even if... we will stand!
