What will people do when they find that it's true?

I was introduced to a stellar book last night that has provided me with some great encouragement throughout my day: Jesus Freaks. It's a compilation by (you guessed it) DC Talk that gives stories of martyrs of the faith. I think it would be great for a bedtime story or something to read over coffee every morning. Each of the vignettes offers an encouraging story of a person who loved God enough to withstand trials of those persecuting them. It's a good reminder that this sort of thing is happening the world over...even this very minute. The introduction explains:

"The purpose of this book is not to try to explain away the deaths of the martyrs, but to honor their conviction, commitment, and faith - and to build yours. Each of us must follow Jesus for ourselves. You may never have to face the decision of whether or not to die for your faith, but every day you face the decision of whether or not you will live for it."

I'm just a few pages in, but wanted to share with you a part of one of the stories that particularly touched me. Ivan, a soldier in the USSR in the 1970s was asked to renounce his faith. The military found his Christianity to be a discipline problem and wanted to "re-educate" him in the ways of the Communist party. In order to persuade him to deny Christ, he was asked to stand outside in his summer uniform throughout the winter nights, where temperatures dropped to 13 degrees below freezing. Weeks went by like this and Ivan stood praying and singing praise to God, confident that an angel was with him to protect him from the cold. Eventually, he was stabbed, beaten and drowned and his body returned to his parents with the explanation, "He fought with death, but he died as a Christian." In a letter to his parents during this period of trial, Vanya wrote:

"...the Lord has showed the way to me...and I have decided to follow it... I will now have more severe and bigger battles than I have had till now. But I do not fear them. He goes before me. Do not grieve for me, my dear parents. It is because I love Jesus more than myself. I listen to Him, though my body does fear somewhat or does not wish to go through everything. I do this because I do not value my life as much as I value Him. And I will not await my own will, but I will follow as the Lord leads. He says, Go, and I go."

In the midst of trial, I want these words to be my words.