In the Presence of my Enemies

I assume, only few Filipinos know nothing about this book, and none knows the event it narrates. Gracia Burnham, accounts her tragic year of captivity by the terrorist group Abu Sayyaf with her late husband, Martin, who died from the gun battle on June 2002. Gracia was wounded but she was rescued.

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Yesterday night, I was crying so hard when I came to the part of the book where Martin was shot and died. I cried more while reading the part where people told stirring speech and statements about Martin on his funeral service.

The Burnham’s ordeal in the jungle conveys  lessons to many people in this world – to their families, friends, co-missionaries, Filipinos, Muslims, to you and me.

FAITH – the couple exemplified an incredible approach to a test of faith. I wonder how will I respond if I was in their shoes. But they had kept their faith in a God who, in such dreadful situation, seemed to have left them; and cling to His Word and promises, who seemed to be untrue during their affliction.

LOVE – Martin Burnham taught us a wonderful lesson about loving. He put stress on Christ’s instruction to “Love your enemies” even if they are unworthy to be loved, even if they intentionally use us, even if they are criminals or terrorists or Abu Sayyafs. Its clear: Love those who persecute you, show kindness and mercy just as the Lord Jesus Christ did for us sinners. Love not hate.

CONTENTMENT – let us be satisfied in whatever we have now. The Burnhams’ experience of near starvation, inadequate supplies of personal hygiene, shows that they never have none. The Lord provided for their needs in the jungle, basic needs. That was a display of God’s faithfulness and grace. Whether small or few, we should be grateful and contented.

HOPE – to rest our hope in God, even in the midst of where there seem to be no hope.

LIFE’S Purpose – to serve the Lord with gladness,  Martin said,  “We might not leave this jungle alive, but at least we can leave this world serving the Lord with gladness..” even in the most unlikely situation, ..“We can serve him right here where we are, and with gladness.”

God’s WILL – Why does God allow this trial come my way?, sometimes we resentfully ask Him. The truth is, His will is perfect and good. But He created all of us as an independent human beings with free will and the power of personal choice. And sometimes, like the Abu Sayyaf, we choose to stand stubbornly outside His will, which could directly affect, or worse take other people’s lives.

What Christians ought to do – Gracia said it, “People oppressed by such rules (religious obligations) - not just Muslims but millions of people in the world who are desperately trying to stack up enough good deeds to outweigh their bad deeds  so God will be happy with them – need our prayers“

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When life gets tough, when we face similar or worse situations and we cannot understand (we began thinking) why/how a loving God could allow such circumstances, let’s go back to Isaiah 55: 8, for His ways are not our ways, neither our thoughts are His thoughts. Then we stop questioning Him, instead we would go and seek God’s purpose and lessons we could draw from it.

Thank God for the lives of the Burnhams, it’s a blessing for people like me.

credit for the book cover: graciaburnham.org