In China being a Christian can bring many repercussions. While technically, being a Christian is allowed, it is only under very strict guidelines and you must register with the government.  Only one version of the Bible is sanctioned and it has been highly edited.

Wikipedia has this to say about Christianity in China, “In many parts of China, the practice of religion continues to be tightly controlled by government authorities. Chinese over the age of 18 are only permitted to join officially sanctioned Christian groups registered with the government-approved Protestant Three-Self Church and China Christian Council, and Chinese Patriotic Catholic Church. On the other hand, many Christians practice in informal networks referred to as “house churches“, the proliferation of which began in the 1950s when many Chinese Catholics and Protestants began to reject state-controlled structures purported to represent them. Members of such groups are said to represent the “silent majority” of Chinese Christians and represent many diverse theological traditions.”

This morning I watched a video of underground Christians receiving new Bibles.  My heart broke as I watched their excitement and their tears for receiving the precious gift of God’s Word. I couldn’t help but think, “When is the last time holding God’s Word in my hands brought me to tears?” How cherised is the gift that we here in the United States take for granted. I can pick up my Bible on any given day and read it. And yet, how many days do I skip my time reading God’s Word in-depth? When did I lose my hunger and thirst for His Word?

Not only do I have a Bible–I have several in different versions. Watching this video was a humbling thing for me. It reminded me to not take lightly the Word of God, which is a precious gift.

“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” Psalm 119:105

“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”  Psalm 119:11