I was with a mission team witnessing in one city’s notorious Red Light District. It was my first tour, and I was unprepared for the sight of all the sex shops, shows, brothels, and strip clubs—not to mention the three hundred windows flagrantly displaying women’s services. As I walked through the area, I was mystified by the number of roses lying on the ground and being trampled by people. I wondered who had dropped the flowers and why they had abandoned them.
Suddenly, those roses represented the beautiful lives in front of me. The sordid world of prostitution, pimps, and trafficking had crushed them. Or perhaps I could see the blooms as the people’s rejection of God’s longing to provide another option. Few people we met wanted to talk about Christ. But it wasn’t really us they were dismissing; it was Jesus. I couldn’t take it personally.
I remembered Michael J. Smith’s song, “Above All,” and the line that described Jesus as a rose trampled on the ground. How the heart of God must ache as He sees people turn from hope in His Son.
Although the Red Light District and other dark places continue to thrive, we are still under orders. God expects us to consider other priorities insignificant compared to the importance of carrying out His task of testifying about the good news of Christ.
Trust Christ enough for the grace you will need to face hostility or unconcern as you tell others of God’s love. When you do, you can also trust that His sweet fragrance will linger and make a difference in the world.
Deborah Meroff served as a missionary writer and photographer for thirty years. While based in London, she was privileged to visit 115 countries and publish scores of articles and a dozen books in various languages. She now resides in Maine, USA.