Fears 

Pastor Duck's Devotional 

Taiwan Church News 2642, October 20, 2002 

Translated by David Alexander 

Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy, and do not fear what it fears, or be in dread. But the Lord of hosts, him you shall regard as holy; let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. Isaiah 8:12 

During the years of Taiwan's White Terror, A-tat's uncle Bun-hiong went to live in Colombia, South America. He felt safe there from anything in Taiwan that could harm him. Since that time Taiwan has changed, but uncle Bun-hiong has not. Though his family invites him to return here to visit every new year, and his brothers offer to let him live with them as long as he wishes, he fears Taiwan. "There are files about me in Government offices," he says. "They'll arrest me at the airport." 

Like A-tat's parents, Bun-hiong grew up in church. But in Colombia he did not find a Taiwanese speaking group of Christians, and he was afraid to join the Mandarin language church there. So he no longer practices the faith he had as a child. In fact, he thinks religion is for children only, and has no regard for God. 

When relatives from Taiwan visit him in Colombia, they go to church on Sunday, even though it is in Spanish and they don't understand a word. They feel welcomed by their Colombian sisters and brothers in Christ. Uncle Bun-hiong can understand Spanish now, but doesn't attend. 

Cut off from Taiwan by fears of conspiracy, and from God by disregard, uncle Bun-hiong is someone for whom A-tat's family prays regularly. Perhaps we all have an uncle Bun-hiong, or perhaps some of us ARE an "uncle Bun-hiong." 

Prayer: Holy God, teach us what not to fear, and whom to dread. AMEN