I have been moved this week by the story of the South African Christian family attacked in Afghanistan last weekend. The father, Werner Groenewald, and his two teen-aged children were killed. The mother, Hannelie, is a doctor and was serving in a clinic when the attack happened, sparing her life. I cannot even imagine the grief and loss that this dear sister is enduring.
Today I was reviewing some notes on a book I read some time ago, Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Eric Metaxas. The book quotes from a letter Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote to tell a group of his former ordinands about the death of some of their colleagues during World War II. His words might also apply to the memory of Werner, Jean-Pierre and Rodé Groenewald:
They have gone before us on the path that we shall all have to take at some point. In a particularly gracious way, God reminds those of you who are out on the front to remain prepared…To be sure, God shall call you, and us, only at the hour that God has chosen. Until that hour, which lies in God’s hand alone, we shall all be protected even in greatest danger, and from our gratitude for such protection ever new readiness surely arises for the final call.
Who can comprehend how those whom God takes so early are chosen? Does not the early death of young Christians always appear to us as if God were plundering his own best instruments in a time in which they are most needed? Yet the Lord makes no mistakes. Might God need our brothers for some hidden service on our behalf in the heavenly world? We should put an end to our human thoughts, which always wish to know more than they can, and cling to that which is certain. Whomever God calls home is someone God has loved.
I hope you’ll join in lifting Hannelie Groenwald to the “Father of mercies and God of all comfort” (2 Cor. 1:3) as she grieves.
Todd Nettleton has served the persecuted church and VOM more than 16 years. He has been interviewed more than 2000 times by various media outlets. He's the author of Restricted Nations: North Korea, and served on the writing team for FOXE, Extreme Devotion, Hearts of Fire and other VOM books.
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