Seeing the unseen

Two Burmese police officers walk on either side of a prisoner of war. They escorted the young prisoner through the compound gates.

Arriving at the office of the sanctioned Bible College, the officers have the director of the school sign the document giving him custody.

The senior officer commands, “He cannot leave your compound for the next three years.” Exchanging the signed document for the prisoner, both officers leave.

The director asks his assistant to have the missionary from America come to the office once he finishes his lecture. Both the prisoner and the director sit in silence until the missionary arrives.

Director introduces the prisoner. Pastor, this is my youngest son, Timothy. He will be our guest for the next three years. They captured him during a battle being fought with the Karen. Because the government knows my connection with America, they release Timothy to my care for the next three years.

Pastor, “Will Timothy enroll into the college?”

Director, “He must make that decision, he does not believe in God. We will keep him busy working here, serving the staff and the students.”

Timothy extends his hand to the Pastor. “Nice to meet you; my father David has saved my life. When they discovered David is my father, they sent me here instead of being executed.”

Pastor says, “I will pray for you.”

Timothy just smiled; nodding his head in agreement. David’s assistant escorted Timothy to his assigned room.

David goes over the Sunday service with the Pastor. “You know that the Bishop of the Baptist Church in Yagoon will be her to read from the Scriptures and you are to give the message. The government has sanctioned this church. Do not give an alter call, it is against the law. The Bishop may report proselytizing to the government.”

“I understand! If God tells me to give an invitation; who am I to say no to God, are we not to obey men over God?”

Sunday morning, they introduced pastor to the Bishop before the service. The Bishop had an air of authority about him. Dressed in a full-length robe, it reminds the pastor of a rooster strutting around the barnyard. It appeared everyone had fear and not a reverence for the Bishop and his minions waiting on him hand and fist.

Service underway, the Bishop had David sit on his right side before the pastor was to be seated on his left.

David rose to the podium. He leads the congregation of two hundred in prayer. Then the Bishop stood looking out to the congregation, silent as the dead almost afraid to breathe. He reads the story of the prodigal son.

And he said a certain man had two sons: And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. And few days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.

The Bishop and David cannot see Timothy. The podium blocked their view. The pastor can see Timothy seated next to the stage. Timothy was listening intently. Pastor has an overwhelming desire to pray for Timothy.

Bishop reading: And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he was in want. And he went and joined himself as a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine ate: and no man gave unto him. And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my fathers have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father; I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.

Pastor can now see tears building in Timothy’s face. They gush out like a dam bursting. His heart had received the Word of God.

And he arose and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again. He was lost and is found!

The Bishop closes the Bible on the podium and invites the Pastor to give a message.

The pastor, “The son left his father and family to live as he pleased. We are all the children of the creator, God. He has many children that live their lives as they please. How wonderful is it when just one of these children understands God loves them? God’s son died so we might live! He was obedient unto death; it is rare to see this quality in use. But, we resemble the young son, who lived as he wanted and it turned out that he might die. He had to return to his father to live. God gives us all this chance. Who here today wants to come to the Father. Just Stand and I will pray for you.”

Only Timothy stood and the Bishop and David could not see him, but the pastor and God did.

Later, after the service David said to the Bishop I did not see one person stand. It was a good thing! The Bishop laughed as he left at the American pastor to have someone stand.

After the Bishop left, David looked the pastor in the eye. “I told you not to give an invitation. Good thing no one stood up.

Pastor said, “Yes, someone stood up. He is coming our way now.

Timothy ran to his father and cried, Father, forgive me. I will be your best student. Both, now understanding God can see the unseen, he sees the heart. Nothing can stop God from an open heart.