It breaks my heart to witness the death of innocent people and children despite their religious backgrounds. As Lebanese, we might have grown up to discriminate and show favoritism to one group versus the other, but the sudden emergence of this war reminded us of the importance of the human soul despite its cultural or religious background. It’s a shame, as Christians, we tend to forget that “God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes In Him shall not perish but have eternal life”, and instead, we seclude ourselves to our micro circles. God is for all nations, tribes, cultures, and religions. The same God who has redeemed us has died on the cross to save those people too. After realizing this fact, God has put sincere love in our hearts for the refugees and displaced people and we found ourselves serving and loving them. It seems that we wouldn’t have woken up and understood without the quivering of our ship!
What strengthens us during this tough phase is the fact that thousands of people are praying for us and for peace in Lebanon. We are receiving hundreds of worldwide encouraging emails that uplift our souls.
In this respect, I can’t but thank all of the CRM-ers that God has blessed me with for their love and perseverance in ministry especially during the war time. I’m proud of each single one and I’m positive that they will make the whole difference in the ministry’s future success as they have done so far.
Friends, this is the beginning of a new journey. The war is going to end soon, for this is our faith, but there are still many challenges ahead of us. We pray that our interaction with the refugees will open the door for Christian faith so that they always bear in mind the love and mercy of Jesus Christ in their lives.
Perhaps one of the greatest challenges is that NEOTDM/CRM proceeds in developing gifted and committed Christian leaders to become messengers of peace, life and love in a world where these words are no more fully comprehended.
Looking now at Lebanon’s drastic situation, we feel sorrowful that such a country, that has always been a symbol of beauty and glory in the Bible, is now wilting. However, we join our voices with Habakkuk and say, “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights.”
I have faith that this war will revive the Lebanese Church and the Christians will surpass it with God’s victory. Gold wouldn’t shine and glow unless it’s filtered first in fire! May God’s glory and grace shine clearly in our lives so that we reflect His light to the entire world!
Letter excerpt from Nadim K. Costa , mission leader in Lebanon