Well, I’m in China again and since that is where I was the last time I was able to do any consistent blogging I thought I’d give it a shot this time too! No promises about what happens when I return home though . . .
China is an amazing place to be and every time I’m here I experience the Holy Spirit in new and wonderful ways through the powerful work of God in these people in this place. This morning I woke up ridiculously early: 4:30am – and if you know me at all you can only imagine my pain at this. But I was less irritated at being awake that early when I realized I had the lyrics to “God Of This City” by Chris Tomlin ( http://youtu.be/d61LamkXfwk ) running around in my head: “you’re the God of this city, you’re the King of these people, you’re the Lord of this nation, you are . . . “
There are so many misconceptions about Christianity in China. It is such a big place and yes, persecution does happen – I do not intend to dismiss persecution at all. But Jesus has a visible presence here in China. Giant crosses on the tops of beautiful sanctuaries beckon people to come know the God of this city. Christian bookstores offer Bibles and a multitude of devotional/theological books to anyone who walks through the door. We pray openly (with our Chinese national friends) in hotel lobbies and restaurants.
As a Communist country it is true that the people here do not share the same sense/lifestyle/amount of freedom we do in America, but that has not stopped God’s work here. Sometimes I wonder if it the opposite is true. If, in a system of government that exerts considerable control over people lives, perhaps God woos our Chinese brothers and sisters to Himself through the great freedom that is offered in a relationship with Jesus Christ.
