Peace, Joy, Freedom

The Mark of the Lion series by Francine Rivers is the best Christian fiction series ever. I read the 1500+ page trilogy in less than 24 hours last year when I first read it. The story is tremendously gripping. It takes place in the Roman Empire, not long after Jesus' crucifixion. Judea has just fallen, and a young girl, Hadassah, is sold to a wealthy Roman family to serve their passionate and finnicky daughter. In a time when Christians are being persecuted, Hadassah struggles with her desires to serve God, her new family, and remain safe. The first time I read the books, I was caught up in the drama of the story, but this time, as I read more slowly and less concerned over the plot, I find myself drawn nearer to the Lord through this writing. Hadassah's love for the word of God and the testimonies of those who had walked with Jesus is so sweet, so beautiful, that it pulls me into my own Bible. (Warning: if you're going to read these books, it is imperative that you have book 2 nearby so that when you finish book 1, you can jump right into it. You might explode otherwise. For real)

The older brother of the family she's called to serve learns she is a Christian, and as he thinks about her, he tries to figure out what her deal is:

Everything she did mirrored her faith. It was as though every waking hour of every day she was devoted to pleasing her god by serving others. This god she worshiped consumed her. It didn't ask for a brief visit to a temple, or a small votive offering of food or coin, or a few prayers every now and then. This god wanted all of her. And what did she get from him? What reward had she received for her devotion? She was a slave. She had no possessions, no rights, no protection other than what her owners gave her. She couldn't even marry without her master's permission. Her life depended on the goodwill of her owners, for she could be killed for any or no reason at all. She received one small coin a day from his father, and that she frequently gave away. He remembered the peace on her face as she had stood with her face to the wind. Peace...and joy. She was a slave and yet she seemed to possess a sense of freedom he had never felt. (page 377)

Isn't this exactly what it means to be in the world and not of it? To serve the people of the world by loving them with Christ's kindness and patience, but not to serve the passions of the world itself. Though we are held to the earth, away from our Father and our true home, we have eternal peace, joy and freedom that cannot be taken from us.