Hebrews 12

Hebrews 12

Hebrews 12:1 – “Therefore, since we are surrounded by a such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”

Recently, a friend introduced me to a documentary about the life of Christiana Tsai, a devout Chinese Christian, who lived in a dark chamber for over half a century. Christiana grew up in a very affluent family with a Buddhist background around 1900s in China. While attending a school founded by American missionaries, she chose to believe and follow Jesus despite threats from her family. As one of the few educated women in China at that time, she started to travel with a lifelong American friend, Mary Leaman, to spread the gospel.

However, at the age of 41, Christiana suddenly caught a mysterious sickness and was bedridden for the next fifty-five years. Even worse, she could not be exposed to any form of light and had to stay in her dark room most of the days, wearing thick sunglasses. Through her sickness and suffering, Christiana had never doubted why God let this trial happen to her. Instead, every day she asked God what he wanted her to do for his Kingdom.

Many of us probably will have a hard time imagining the pain, loneliness, and depression she might have experienced in her long years of suffering. Was she tempted to be angry, bitter, or just giving up? Yet, lying in her dark room in Philadelphia, where she later moved to from China, she attracted many visitors, helped people with various religious heritages to see the light of Jesus, and led thousands to Christ. You can find more about her inspiring story in her biography, Queen of the Dark Chamber.
I am very thankful for the inspirational stories of many faithful brothers and sisters throughout the history. They have fought their good fight of faith and now are waiting in heaven to cheer for future generations of believers to finish their races. One day, we will all come before the throne of God, dressed in the robe of His righteousness, singing praises to Him forever. I cannot wait for that glorious day!

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