Reset

Bonnie Sala: Somewhere in the world right now, someone is reading their Bible in secret. I'm Bonnie Sala with Reset. For two years, Farina followed Jesus without telling anyone. In her country, leaving the religion she was born into can lead to prison. Changing your religion is believed to bring terrible shame to a family. So Farina read her Bible secretly, prayed in whispers, and carried her faith alone.

Then one morning she walked into the living room and stopped. Her father was sitting on the floor reading a Bible. Fear shot through her. Had he discovered her hidden Bible? But the cover was different. Someone had placed a Bible in their mailbox as a gift for the New Year. While Farina had been praying in secret, God had been moving.

Not every story ends with such a surprise. Some secret believers never have anyone to share their faith with. Jesus told us that following him often comes at great cost. But he also makes this promise: "I am with you always." In fear, in waiting, he promises daily courage to keep following him.

Jesus also said, "Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples." Love can shine in quiet ways, in patience, kindness, refusing revenge, and continuing to hope. If you're standing alone in your faith today, remember God sees you and knows you. Your obedience matters to him.

The family of God is larger than any one house. You are never walking by yourself. You're part of a larger family than you may realize. Pray for your brothers and sisters who are following Jesus in secret and encourage millions of others like Farina by sending devotionals like this in their own language. Give a gift today at guidelines.org.