Hiding in the Light by Rifqa Bary - Book Review

Synopsis/Spoilers:

This biography of Rifqa Bary, a Sri Lankan girl living in the US, is a powerful story emphasising the plight of Muslims who convert to Christianity. An Indian Muslim, she finds life and joy when she receives Christ, so much so that it cannot be hidden from the family for long.

She carries out her faith in secret: reading the bible in the toilet, baptising in a river out of the way with a few witnesses, finding reasons to go out in order to attend church, so on. It's a joyful affair that must be done quietly as if it's not something to be exposed or mentioned.

Her parents somehow find out and, since her father is predisposed to physically abusing her, goes into a rage and threatens her death unless she recants. Then the mosque in their community discovers the problem and that's when the whirlwind of insanity happens. She finds her chance to flee, pleading with many people and Christians along the way for their help, to the chagrin of some and disbelief of others. Through it all, Rifqa is well-cared for by people whom God had introduced to her in the past, especially a youth pastor who made tremendous effort in her initial escape and the subsequent years.

The journey takes her through much distrust and anxiety and pain. Because of her need to submit herself to the authorities and clear up the impending prosecution as a runaway delinquent, Rifqa is subject to the judiciary system - jail and a string of foster homes. As a strategy to ensure the court doesn't just close the case on her and send her back home to imminent death (of which the parents say is not true), her lawyer stirs up a media frenzy. The tactic was to ensure she gets more publicity and thus create more pressure on the authorities to deliberate harder on her case. This tactic delayed her being returned to parental custody for 2 years, till she became an adult and no longer eligible to be tried as a delinquent or runaway.

Review:

The danger is very real and with careful story-telling, she makes herself felt by the reader, letting you into her shoes to experience the situation through her first-hand account.

Her 2 year journey charted here tells us more about this God she believes in too. It is amazing to see the extent of her love, reciprocating the love of Christ who died for her. Where there seems to be no hope in her dire situations at times, Rifqa uses Bible verses or biblical examples to remind us of where she draws strength. When problems surround you, it's easy to be overwhelmed and to despair or give in to fear... unless one looks to the God in control of all the difficulties.

Because her story is so personal, it's easy to emphathise with her, cry with her and be held in suspense too. Her 2 years living in fear and without full security of people she trusts is a consistent theme through her recount. She lives as a foster child, giving readers a glimpse at the program for homeless or underprivileged children in USA. It's not something a child should grow up with.

The amazing thing is her life now as an adult is the stability and new family blessed by God despite her trials. You can follow her and keep updated of her life on FB @hidinginthelight, and pray for her to be a beacon of light through which Christ shines.

Come to Me, Jesus Said

God offers many words of comfort in His Word. He always loves and cares and desires the best for people, no matter how little they desire Him. A recent meditation was on how He calls others to be closer to Him, or even those who were never close to Him He beckons.

Matthew 11:28-29
Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

He offers peace to all who are near Him and to those who are distant. The only qualification being that you recognise you have a burden and are weary of it.

What kind of burden would the Christ want to see and bear from you? Burdens come in a variety, ranging from work demands to health concerns; broken relationships with people to a non-existent relationship with God. He will take your cares and even your sins as long as you would come to Him.

Isaiah 55:1
Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.

And we all know how much milk and wine is starting to cost... in Jesus' day and climate, these 2 things were expensive and hard to get. Jesus may have lived in a geographically parched and dry desert land, but our spiritual condition is probably no different. So come and be filled with life abundantly given by Jesus. And free feasts, no one would want to turn that down. All you need to do is trust that invitation and come.

Revelations 3:20
Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

Here is the person who loves you so much He's consistently knocking on the door of your heart. You can keep the door closed and choose to ignore His existence and hope He goes away. But while we're here on earth, His only mission is to come into your life to have a relationship with you, not harm or destroy you (Jeremiah 29:11). He makes this salvation plan so easy: just come to the door and open.

What is your choice?