Not all martyrs are called to die. Many people suffer through trials, pain, illness, and abuse, all the time bearing witness to their faith without dying for it. They are living martyrs and their hope is found in Jesus Christ.
2MefromHim Devotionals
… Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Romans 12:1b
There are among us living martyrs,
Condemned to live instead of die.
Consigned with every waking breath
To offer up their lives.
They struggle on through loss and pain,
They often grieve and cry.
Their burdens different from other men,
Yet never knowing why.
Our Savior cried with pleas and tears,
By friends misunderstood.
Betrayed, forsaken, whipped, and scorned,
He offered up His blood.
All those who follow Jesus Christ,
Living sacrifices are called to be.
But some, close bound upon the altar,
Watch others living free.
Like Jesus, they plead with the Father,
“Please let this cup pass by!”
The cross borne on their shoulders chafes,
As daily, to self, they die.
With comforts few and seeming to fail,
They walk a steep and tortuous road.
Certain glory ahead, just out of sight,
They strain with the weighty load.
A promised Comforter, unseen, guides
To uplift and keep from falling.
He never will forsake them
But hold steady till that great morning.
That one bright, shining prize,
Not realized but always hoped for,
Burns in weary, straining hearts,
As daily, shredded souls they offer.
Copyright by Norma Gail Thurston Holtman, April 7, 2016
About the author:
Norma Gail is the author of the contemporary Christian romance, Land of My Dreams. A women’s Bible study leader for over 21 years, her devotionals and poetry have appeared at ChristianDevotions.us, the Stitches Thru Time blog, and in “The Secret Place.” She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Romance Writers of America, and the New Mexico Christian Novelists. Norma is a former RN who lives in the mountains of New Mexico with her husband of 40 years. They have two adult children.
Connect with Norma:
Website: www.normagail.org
Amazon Author page: http://www.amazon.com/Norma-Gail/e/B00ILHXBAK/
Book trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQbZIoC_JSE
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorNormaGail
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+NormaGailwrites
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/normagailth/boards/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7874459
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Norma_Gail
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/norma-gail-thurston-holtman/42/71a/3b2
Book Links:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Land-My-Dreams-Norma-Gail/dp/1941103170
Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas Bookstore: http:// lpcbooks.com/product/land-of-my-dreams/
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/land-of-my-dreams-norma-gail/1119606864?ean=9781941103173
4 Comments
Beautifully written Norma. Love your poetry and the gift of words God has shared with us through you. 🙂
Thank you, Marcie! You are such a blessed encourager!
Norma, this is lovely. I know you are living this out loud right now. There really is something about the fellowship of His suffering, isn’t there? Thank you for such beautiful thoughts.
We are both learning those hard lessons, aren’t we? There is blessing in submitting and learning the lessons, even though it takes us places we never wanted to go.