Defining Moment
By Brother Andrew

       In 1957 Andy went behind the Iron Curtain to a Communist youth conference in Poland. He despised Communism but it was the only way that he could see for himself what Communism was doing to the church behind the Iron Curtain. He had 'smuggled' in some religious tracts and passed them out. He had even 'preached' at a few token churches allowed by Communism. He felt good about his trip until the final day when he watched the youths' 'Parade of Triumph' down the main avenue of Warsaw. They marched eight to a rank. Rank after rank, hundreds, thousands. The young Communists bristled with energy and determination. They seemed an invincible force. What could Christians in the western countries do? What could Andy do? Unnoticed in the clamor he sat down dejectedly on a bench. He opened his small Bible. A breeze whipped the pages to the Book of Revelations.
       Andy's eyes were drawn to a verse in chapter 3. He read, "Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die."
       The meaning hammered him. The remaining believers in Poland must not die. They must be strengthened. This was surely his sign. He wasn't sure just how he would do it, but with God's help he would do it...