Especially for You
A Crisis of Faith
When my parents sent me out of China to attend Pyeng Yang Foreign School in what is now North Korea, I had what some might call a crisis of faith, although that sounds a bit grand for a 13-year-old’s first doubts.
Perhaps the crisis resulted from what seemed like unanswered prayer. I had begged God (and my parents) to let me go home—without success. Or it might have been spiritual growing pains, like that of a young man who went to a delightfully sane bishop to confess he had lost his faith.
“Nonsense,” replied the bishop. “You’ve lost your parents’ faith. Now go out and get one of your own.”
I knew that God had sent Jesus to die for mankind’s sins, but somehow I did not feel included. There were so many people in the world and I was only one, and, let’s face it, not a very significant one at that. I prayed for forgiveness and felt nothing. I wasn’t even sure He was listening.
Finally, in desperation, I went to my ever-practical sister, Rosa, and asked her advice.
“I don’t know what to tell you to do,” she replied matter-of-factly, “unless you take some verse and put your own name in. See if that helps.”
So I picked up my Bible and turned to Isaiah 53, one of my favorite chapters. I did just what she suggested. I read, “He was wounded for [Ruth’s] transgressions, he was bruised for [Ruth’s] iniquities: the chastisement of [Ruth’s] peace was upon him; and with his stripes [Ruth is] healed” (Isaiah 53:5, KJV).
I knew then that I was included.
from the April 2007 issue of "Decision" magazine
A Crisis of Faith
When my parents sent me out of China to attend Pyeng Yang Foreign School in what is now North Korea, I had what some might call a crisis of faith, although that sounds a bit grand for a 13-year-old’s first doubts.
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Donate“Nonsense,” replied the bishop. “You’ve lost your parents’ faith. Now go out and get one of your own.”
I knew that God had sent Jesus to die for mankind’s sins, but somehow I did not feel included. There were so many people in the world and I was only one, and, let’s face it, not a very significant one at that. I prayed for forgiveness and felt nothing. I wasn’t even sure He was listening.
Finally, in desperation, I went to my ever-practical sister, Rosa, and asked her advice.
“I don’t know what to tell you to do,” she replied matter-of-factly, “unless you take some verse and put your own name in. See if that helps.”
So I picked up my Bible and turned to Isaiah 53, one of my favorite chapters. I did just what she suggested. I read, “He was wounded for [Ruth’s] transgressions, he was bruised for [Ruth’s] iniquities: the chastisement of [Ruth’s] peace was upon him; and with his stripes [Ruth is] healed” (Isaiah 53:5, KJV).
I knew then that I was included.
Ruth Bell Graham
Ruth Bell Graham was the wife of evangelist Billy Graham and mother of five children. Born to missionary parents in China, Ruth faithfully supported her husband throughout his ministry, raising their children in his absences. Ruth was also a poet and author, and published a number of books. Visit the Ruth Bell Graham Memorial Web site»
©1982 Ruth Bell GrahamRuth Bell Graham was the wife of evangelist Billy Graham and mother of five children. Born to missionary parents in China, Ruth faithfully supported her husband throughout his ministry, raising their children in his absences. Ruth was also a poet and author, and published a number of books. Visit the Ruth Bell Graham Memorial Web site»
from the April 2007 issue of "Decision" magazine
