Define Success

Shahbaz Bhatti was a man of conviction. I'm sure this was a process for him, as it would be for many of us. In the end, he determined that he would stand for what is good and holy, defending the rights of minorities in Pakistan. The blasphemy law has been the source of repeated persecution for Pakistani Christians. Wife and mother, Asia Bibi, continues to agonize over her little girls as she's in prison. While her face might fade from the public eye in the onslaught of stories we hear, she has by no means faded from the Heavenly Father's loving gaze. Shahbaz's desire and aim was to see freedom for Asia and many other Pakistanis like her who remain nameless only to us.

In the end, Brother Shahbaz lost his life; brutally assassinated in his vehicle. He was sure he would be. Four months ago, he sent a video to the BBC, boldly stating his stand as a follower of Christ and his determination to maintain his testimony and work at the expense of his life. I can't help but wonder what his friends and family went through when he made that statement. He was on death row for doing the right thing. Now that the execution has taken place, are there those who feel that the battle has been lost? That this is defeat? It's only natural for them to be overwhelmed with grief and even fear. We can stand with them and pray that they will be encouraged to move forward, even in the flood of tears.

How do we define success? What of the young Vietnamese Christian couple, Sung Cua Po and Hang thi Va, who initially gave in to family pressure and denied Jesus but later were driven from their home because they chose to follow Jesus? Is Pastor Quang successful when he states, "Once we serve God surely we must go the way of the cross, so I will not quarrel against the Lord for what has happened"? Consider Uzbek Pastor Dmitry Shestakov who could have been at home with his daughters, but chose instead to suffer the "shame" of the cross and remained in prison. Brother Gao's family is desperate for word from him, but the Chinese authorities continue to tuck him away where they can do what they will. These have all lost everything; everything, that is, except the Heavenly Father's "Well done!" How does God define success? Learn more at www.persecution.net.