Last week I told several stories about the remarkable Christian, Corrie Ten Boom. She and her family saved over 800 Jews as they hid them, protected them, fed them, and transported them to safety under the oppression of the Nazis. When the family was betrayed, all but Corrie paid for their service with their lives.
After the war, Corrie helped build shelters for the rejects of Europe. The collaborators and other "less-desirables" had nowhere to go. She helped transform former camps into care centers. She raised money to feed them. She planted flowers to make the places more beautiful. She took Jesus’ words, “Love your enemies” as her marching orders. Russell Moore recently remarked that pastors across America have reported multiple occasions of people saying that Jesus' words are too weak and impractical in our world. Corrie Ten Boom believed Jesus' words were to be followed. She knew they were incredibly difficult to follow. She still chose the path of Jesus when many did not.
She began to travel the world preaching about the power of forgiveness. She told how it had transformed her. When she left the camp in which she had been held, her heart was bitter. She held on to hurt and betrayal, but then with time and prayer, God did a miraculous work in her life. She was transformed by the power of forgiveness in her own life. She felt compelled to share it with others. I was taught her story as a young boy. She has always been a hero.
Several weeks ago, I was sitting in her dining room. The tour director was sharing Christ with the group. It was beautiful. We were a small group of about 12 people hearing about Corrie and her faith. The volunteers that operate the museum are committed to sharing the Gospel with every person who visits. Right next to her was a blue cloth with a tangle of threads. Near the end of her talk, she turned it around so that we could see the crown. She quoted the Scripture that Corrie used to quote, Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day (2 Tim 4:8). Corrie would say that we can only see our side of the tapestry. We see the tangles, the knots, the difficulty, and the troubles. God, however, sees a different side. God is creating beautiful work in our lives. One day, it will all be clear.
Today, we are called to be bold and brave for Christ.