"She
was always considerate of others, even though she herself was in a very
difficult situation. She was always concerned for other prisoners. She
never stopped being concerned for the Syrian population living through
just horrible things in this war and still are. She never stopped caring
for others."
This is how a former ISIS hostage describes Kayla Mueller in a remarkable story on this morning's
ABC News website. Four former hostages will tell about their shared ordeal on tonight's "20/20" broadcast.
We knew that Mueller was tortured and assaulted sexually by Abu Bakr
al-Baghdadi, leader of ISIS. But we are only now hearing remarkable
accounts of her unfailing Christian commitment and character. Former
hostages describe her sense of humor and unwavering faith. They testify
that she defended her Christian commitment to "Jihadi John," the
infamous ISIS executioner, and inspired them all with her courage.
At one point she refused a chance to escape so that some teenage girls
with her would have a better chance at freedom. "I am an American. If I
escape with you, they will do everything to find us again," she
explained. One girl who escaped said Mueller "was praying for us to
escape, to survive. I will never forget this sacrifice. She was very
good to us. I will never forget."
Mueller died in February 2015. ISIS stated that a Jordanian airstrike in
Syria killed her, a claim the White House has denied. According to
another
former ISIS hostage, she was killed by the terrorists, perhaps by al-Baghdadi himself.
Scripture says, "To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to
the Lord than sacrifice" (Proverbs 21:3). For Kayla Mueller, her
righteousness was her sacrifice. She is now numbered among "those who
had been slain for the word of God and the witness they had borne"
(Revelation 6:9).
You and I are not likely to face anything like Kayla Mueller endured,
but we will encounter our own temptations and challenges today. John
Maxwell
noted,
"Your integrity is the foundation for lasting achievement. If you build
it, success and significance will come. And you'll be able to enjoy
them for a long time." Conversely, we all know what happens to a house
with a flawed foundation: cracks hidden beneath the house produce cracks
visible in its walls that only get worse over time.
The best time to choose character is before it is tested. At the start
of this day, ask the Holy Spirit to manifest the fruit of "faithfulness"
and "self-control" in your life (Galatians 5:22, 23). Decide that you
will face temptation with integrity and opposition with grace. Remember
that "whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his
ways crooked will be found out" (Proverbs 10:9). And know that in a day
of moral confusion and deception, your character is your most
indispensable witness.
Thinking about Kayla Mueller this morning, I am reminded of martyred
missionary Jim Elliott's now-famous observation, "He is no fool who
gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." Jesus told his
persecuted followers, "Be faithful until death, and I will give you the
crown of life" (Revelation 2:10).
Kayla Mueller is wearing her crown today.
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