July 4, 2022
Once, I had the privilege of sitting among many listening to a Russian-born Christian man tell his story. George shared with us a reality of life that no Christian in America has ever had to endure.
Under the authority of the old Soviet Union, his father spent many years in a concentration camp in Siberia(-58 degrees) just because he was a Christian. His father survived, but millions died.
With tears in my eyes I listened with my heart as this tall opera singer continued his story.
On his FIRST DAY as a believer, he faced the KGB in the office of one of its leaders. He remarked that no one came out of this building alive. He was 19 years old and had resisted his father’s faith until that day.
He had not had time to learn more about trusting God or about how to grow as a Christian. He only knew that he either believed or he did not.
He stood before the human that had the power to take his life, but held the belief that only God would have his soul.
A miracle happened that day. He faced the KGB as a Christian, refusing to give up names of others, yet he walked out of the KGB building.
“Therefore do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.”
2 Corinthians 4:16-18.
George never takes for granted the privilege he has to be a citizen in the kingdom of Christ.
And he proudly tells all who will listen that he is a proud naturalized citizen of the United States of America, the greatest country in the world.
I left the church that day with “God Bless America” sung by the opera singer, George Fridlender, ringing in my ears.
Have a blessed day!
In Christian love,
Diane