In which I tell you about Saeed Abedini and ask you to sign something.

A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.

Recognize these lyrics? They’re part of one of those annoying Christmas carols that we sing like clock work as soon as the thanksgiving left overs are in the fridge. Normally, I would sing along and not think twice about the lyrics. But for some reason as I was putting up our Christmas tree, playing the infamous carols with the news on in the background, I felt these words fall out of my mouth and I thought. “Weary, that’s the word. This world is weary” Between Ebola, Ferguson, Kim Kardashian, natural disasters and whatever else plugs up our news feed, it would indeed seem that this world is weary. I’m not usually one to follow current events, or even have much say in the matter. I’ll cast my vote but usually that’s as loud as my political voice gets. I was a little alarmed by the riots in Ferguson, and I’ll admit I was a little freaked out about Ebola. Although, not because I was worried I was going to get it- I was actually more worried I was going to see it. Having it would be one thing- I’d be sick for a few days but then go and be with Jesus. It was the seeing it that freaked me out. I didn’t want 10 second videos to instantly start playing of people throwing up their intestine. I have a rather annoying tendency to pass out when I see anything remotely gruesome.

Anyways, my point is that all of those news stories seem to have kinda came and went. Conspiracists (I’m pretty sure I just made up a word but this is my blog so I’ll do what I want.) will tell us that it’s the government distracting us from something. Others will say that’s just the world we live in, that our “microwave” generation doesn’t have the attention span it should. Or whatever other crappy excuse people have I’m sure will be thrown out there. But there’s one story that I see all the time and it just makes me feel, kinda weary. It’s the story of Saeed Abedini. In case you don’t know who I’m talking about, let me tell you his story. He’s a husband, a father of 2, and an american pastor imprisoned in Iran for his faith. Being tortured daily. Honestly the stories of how badly he’s been treated makes my stomach cramp up, my throat feels swollen and my heart feels shrunken. He was imprisoned back in 2012 while visiting family in Iran and finishing up the final touches in an orphanage he was building when Iranian guards raided his home, took his belongings and brought him to an unknown location to face abusive interrogations. The torture he has received has resulted in serious medical conditions that doctors have said require immediate attention and intensive surgery. Both of which Saeed was denied because his faith deemed him “unclean” in Iranian culture. He has been granted visitations from his family in Iran but has been cut off from his wife and children back here in the US. I would think that this would be big news. But, unfortunately I have referenced this story before; in front of Christians even and have had more not know who I was talking about than those who did. I found this verse the other day and it made me think of Saeed.

They have healed the brokenness of My people superficially,

Saying, “Peace, peace!” but there is no peace.

Were they ashamed because of the abomination they have done?

They were not even ashamed at all!

Jeremiah 6:14

The only reason I can think of for people not knowing about Saeed is that our culture is inundated with Christians who may have good intentions but seem to just talk about “Peace, Peace” to superficially heal our brokenness. When in reality if an innocent man can be locked up and beaten and abused and whatever else just for believing something different that somebody else, then there really is no peace.

There might not be peace, but there is Hope.

For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us,

so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures

we might have hope.

Romans 15:4

I guess my point in all this is to tell Saeed’s story. And to ask you to help Saeed and his family. You can read his full story on www.beheardproject.com and sign the petition to bring him home.