A Letter I Wrote About Events in Afghanistan… Twenty Years Ago

Some days ago I happened to find documents from twenty years ago and was amazed to find a copy of this old letter which was later published in a newspaper. On the subject of the transition from letter writing to emails, it is amazing how technology changes, yet certain societies, while advancing technologically, remain firmly entrenched in uncivilised behaviour, as is evidenced by the spectacle of individuals pointing their smart phones at seventh century barbaric behaviour.

My eyes scanned the letter and I shook my head sadly because I was thinking about the terrible events in the past couple of weeks. It was dated 1^st October, 2001 and spoke of the cruelty of the Taliban in Afghanistan and also referred to the then recent horrific event of September 11^th 2001.

 Dear Sir,

I was dismayed by the mere suggestion, in last week’s Independent, that we should now recognise the Taliban Movement. If ‘recognise’ means that we should ‘give credence to as a legitimate and respectable organisation’, then anyone with an inkling of what the Taliban stands for would have to disagree.

Under Taliban law, schools for girls have been closed; women are not permitted to have careers outside of the home and are publicly beaten if they refuse to be completely covered and veiled in public. Also, within Afghanistan’s starving community, women are not allowed to be trained as doctors, which is ludicrous since female patients are not permitted to be cared for by male doctors. The results are inevitable.

Please, let us not give credence to an organisation whose philosophy has claimed many thousands of precious lives, as recently as September 11th last. Long ago, Jesus in His compassion, interrupted the stoning of a woman, and dismissed her accusers with these words: “He that is without sin among you, let him cast the first stone at her.” (John 8v7). Today, over 2000 years later, women and men are still stoned to death in societies where Islamic Fundamentalism prevails. In Ireland we live in a society where civil and religious liberty is still upheld. We can love others, while perhaps not agreeing with their philosophy or religion. My personal belief is that Jesus, in His great love for every soul in mankind (Osama bin Laden and all suicide bombers included) died for all that we might have freedom from sin, happiness and a love for others in our hearts. Surely we can abhor philosophies which only bring degradation to mankind, while still loving and praying for the individuals ensnared in them?

Yours faithfully,

E. Burke.

How dismaying the thought that, after all this time little, if anything has been achieved and that country has yet again been plunged into misery. A common question people ask is: “Do you remember where you were when you heard about the attack on the twin towers?” I was just about to drive to collect my children from school when I heard the start of the news alert. Twenty years on – and mankind is still as decadent as ever, if not more so. This has certainly been a challenging new century so far. I often wonder how people cope on a daily basis without the Lord in their lives. Nobody knows what is lurking around the corner either globally – or for them personally. We need a Rock, an unchanging and loving Friend who is always there for us 24/7. Praise God, that perfect Friend lives in the hearts of those who trust Him and “…He faileth not.” (Zephaniah 3v5) I trusted Him over 40 years ago and can never thank Him enough for all that He has done for me in the often distressing times of life. This Friend, the Lord Jesus Christ is alive for evermore and I have that assurance in my heart that one day I will meet Him. He wants you too to have that deep assurance and if you have never repented and trusted Him as Saviour, He still beckons you. “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11v28)

Fast forward another twenty years and this world may no longer exist or you and I may no longer be alive but either way, our souls will be alive – somewhere. The great question is… “Where?” Praise God we can have assurance of sins forgiven and a Home in Heaven. Jesus said… “Him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out.” (John 6v37) Whatever happens in this old world or in our own lives in the years ahead, it is His will that we rest and take refuge in His unchanging love and care for us, until that Day when we meet Him face to face. That Day may be sooner than we think. The last recorded words of Jesus are… “Surely I come quickly.” (Revelation 22v20) May you trust in His redeeming blood and know His loving Presence in your life in these uncertain times.

So Many Things To Do Before You Die …?

One evening I read the following in a National Newspaper… “In a tragic twist of fate, the energetic, globe trotting author of “100 Things to do Before You Die” has died at the age of 47.”

Sadly, Dave Freeman, the co-author of this best seller had died after falling and hitting his head in his own home – having completed only around half of the exciting things to do in his book. I felt dejected but thoughtful as I put the newspaper down. Here was a comparatively young man taken from this scene of time, very swiftly and very tragically. Given some of the dangerous escapades that he had recommended in his book, how ironic it was that he had died under such mundane circumstances.

After watching the second plane crash into the south tower on September 11^th 2001, Dave Freeman was philosophical about the future. “Life is a short journey,” he told his readers, whilst urging them to explore before “you pack your bags for the very last time.”  The theme of the book, according to his father, was… “you should live every day like it would be your last.”

‘Life is a short journey,’ I thought. ‘It seems like only yesterday that my children were starting school… How the time flies!’ Yes, and how the circumstances of our lives vary; there are those who spend their lives in remote regions of the world, overcome by poverty and sorrow, while at the other end of the scale there are those who live in palatial circumstances, with all that money can buy.

Yet, whether you spend most of your days doing mundane things like ironing or unloading the dishwasher – or exciting things like surfing on the crest of the waves, one thing is for sure: some day will be your last day. Life most certainly is so short and in the light eternity it hardly signifies at all; yet there is a decision which we must make in this life which will determine where we spend those endless years of eternity.  

Any decision we make which will affect our lives in this life is certainly very important – but just think how much more important it is to make a decision which will affect both our lives here – and throughout eternity. Most religions in the world would agree on one thing – that our behaviour in this life will determine the circumstances of our future in eternity. However, how many of them can give their followers that assurance in their hearts, that they have a certain home in Heaven? Even the leaders of all the major world religions would admit that they cannot be sure of their own eternal welfare. So, is there anyone in history who was both certain of his own eternal destiny and those of his followers?

Jesus said to the thief who hung beside Him on the cross: “Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23v43)  Here was a leader, who was not only sure of His own eternal destiny – but He was reassuring a dying mortal at His side, who had reached out to Him in faith. Somehow, I believe that the dying thief knew that Jesus was much more than just an innocent man who had been put to death unjustly. Yes, He was an innocent man – but He was also the perfect, sinless Son of God. Every person born into this world, every major religious leader and every cleric under the sun surely falls short of this description – for “all have sinned.” (Rom. 3v23) Therefore, we must conclude that the only Person in whom we can safely put our trust is the Person of the Risen Saviour – the Lord Jesus Christ.

As lives go, the Lord Jesus Christ had a very short life on this earth – but that short life was full to the brim with goodness. He healed the sick and cast out demons; He raised the dead and calmed the waves of the sea; and in John 21v25 we read: “And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written.”  (John 21v25) 

Then, after all the good, loving and miraculous things that Jesus had done, He was unjustly tried and nailed to a Roman cross. But this death was no ordinary death – for He suffered and died for your sins and for mine, so that some day, like the thief on the cross, we could reach out to Him in faith and live in His strength – and to His glory.  “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.”  (1Pet. 2v24)

Life is not only a short journey but it is an unpredictable one, and really none of us know (regardless of our age or health) what today holds for us, never mind tomorrow. Have you that assurance in your heart that you are ready to meet God as Judge? What does He see when He looks at your life as it is? But it must also be remembered that even a life full of good works alone cannot get us to Heaven.  Isaiah 64v6 describes such a life: “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags…” We are also reminded in Eph. 2v8&9: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

The thief on the cross had no opportunity or time to start doing good works for his salvation. No, he reached out; firstly admitting his fear of God and the fact that he was sinful and deserving of punishment to the other criminal who hung with him and secondly he acknowledges Jesus as Lord, while trusting in Him for salvation.  “Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.”  (Luke 23v42)

What simple words of faith! Today that soul is rejoicing in Heaven, all because he put his trust in the only Person who was able to save him. Unlike the thief on the cross you may have many years of life ahead – but who knows? Today Jesus sits with His Father in Heaven as our Advocate. “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”  (1Tim 2v5)  Oh that you, the reader, would put your trust in the only Advocate between God and mankind. “But what about my own religion/church?” you may ask.  In Acts 4v12 we read… “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Knowing Jesus and being His follower is not about joining a church or being part of an organisation. It is about repentance, having my sins dealt with, a way of life, a relationship, a daily walk with Him and having that peace and assurance in my heart that some day (whether my life is long or short, exciting or mundane) I will go to be with Him. 

Yes, it is good and essential to have Christian fellowship with like-minded Christians – and once we take that step of trusting Him to save us, He will guide us into all truth and that includes the matter of fellowship. I have travelled in my life to many far-away places and how marvellous it is to meet those of all nationalities who have trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation! Romans 10v12&13 informs us: “For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Today, in this the Day of Grace, the Lord Jesus Christ still reaches out to you, the reader, whoever you are and whatever circumstances you live under. He wants to save you from sin, to a life of good works which have faith for their foundation (James 2v14-26). He wants what remains of your life to be lived to His glory and He wants to assure you of a home in Heaven. Yet, because of His great love for all of mankind and His desire to see them saved, Jesus spoke much more about Hell than about Heaven.

You may never visit this earth’s most exotic destinations – but your life lived in His service will have a joy that is not satisfied by the things of this world. And some day you are promised… “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” (1Cor. 2v9)

If you do not have this peace in your heart, His desire is that you would pray wherever you are today… “Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to be the Saviour of my sins. Please forgive me for all the sins that I have committed and come into my life – so that the rest of my life will be lived for you and that I can have that assurance in my heart of a home in heaven.”

May the Lord bless you and lead you into all truth – for the joy that is to be found when we simply repent and trust the Lord Jesus Christ as our Saviour is beyond anything that may be experienced in this world!

© Elizabeth Burke