I had two very humbling experiences last week. Both reminded me of my spiritual immaturity. The first was listening to the testimonies of a group of ministers from central India. My ministry hosted over a dozen Christian leaders for a retreat at Country Lake Camp. (I’ll share pictures later this week) These men serve under the guidance of the Central India Christian Mission. Unlike the southern section of India, Christians comprise less than 1% of the population in the central area, which is dominated by Hindus and Muslims.

Since they are vastly outnumbered, Christians are often regarded as a fringe group and are seen as a threat to centuries of religious tradition. Many unbelievers in India are hostile to the church. One minister related an incident when his home was riddled with bullets. Two others reported their cars being pelted with rocks so large that the car windshields were shattered as they weaved through a crowd of angry protesters. Another reported a pastor and his two sons who were burned to death when protestors blew up their trapped vehicle.

As I listened to their stories of persecution and yet witnessed their spirit of courage and joy, I was reminded of how spoiled I am as a Christian. I sometimes complain about a hostile tweet or a negative Facebook comment. But in reality I haven’t suffered much for Christ. No one has shot at me, my car hasn’t been bombed. The truth is I’ve been pampered and protected for years and I need to toughen up!

I was also humbled last week by participating in the funeral service for Vicki Catinna. As I mentioned briefly in this column last week, fifty-one years ago Vicki’s husband Jim, stood in front of a preacher and vowed to be faithful to his wife in sickness and health. At the time he had no idea what that would mean, but he kept that vow as well as anyone I’ve ever seen.

Jim and Vicki had a wonderful marriage for forty years. But in her late 50’s Vicki got dementia and within a year she didn’t even recognize Jim. Regardless of her unpredictable behavior and the sudden lack of companionship, Jim tenderly, unapologetically cared for Vicki. For more than a decade, he patiently dressed her, fed her, walked her, sang hymns with her. He took her to the zoo scores of times because she loved animals. He never complained about his hapless assignment, instead he responded, “I could never repay Vicki for all the love she’s given to me.”

At the funeral home, when asked, “When was the last time Vicki responded to you?” Jim said, “Four years ago I was changing her diaper and singing her favorite song, “Jesus loves me this I know”. About the 4th or 5th time I sang it, she brightened up and sang a line with me. I’ve treasured that moment for the last four years.”

That’s genuine love. That’s uncommon loyalty. That’s a depth of love those who are just infatuated with each other have not yet experienced. That’s a profound mystery that provides an encouraging example of God’s faithful love for us.

The more I learned about Jim’s incredible care-giving, the more I was embarrassed by my lack of it. The past couple of months my wife Judy has experienced some arthritic pain in her knees, which occasionally slows her down. I find myself churning just to walk a little slower. Judy’s mind is clear. Her devotion to me remains. She’s still the same wonderful person, but I chafe a little under the meager challenge just to slow down a little.

God’s Word instructs me to love my wife as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for it. I’m reminded again of how weak I am in many areas of my Christian life. I’m almost seventy years old and I should be a lot more mature than I am.

Years ago, after we had taken our two new daughters-in-law along with our sons on an extensive vacation, Kellie and Lisa both thrilled me when we drove into our driveway and they blurted out together, “Thanks for spoiling us!” That expression of appreciation was all I needed to hear. It had been my privilege.

I find myself using that expression often these days when I pray. “Lord, thanks for spoiling me”. He has! I have been blessed with an influential ministry, a wonderful family and incredibly good health. I am so spoiled! My challenge is to grow up a little and be more grateful and more patient. I am very thankful for God’s patience and grace extended to me. That’s one of the reasons Epesians 3:20-21 is one of my favorite passages of Scripture: “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”