Our Sisters … are surrounded by light

Well, I was right. After submitting what I thought was my completed manuscript to my publisher in September, I was asked to add more chapters. Although I felt disappointed at first, this advice was spot-on, and it was so helpful to have their feedback. I had got lost in the activism aspect of the book and taken my eyes off the main stories, which are those of survivors of abduction and forced marriage in Pakistan. Consequently, I have spent the last month or so interviewing women who have endured rape and forced conversion. The youngest of these was not yet 13 when she was taken, and she loves to play hide and seek. She is blatantly just a child, and what she went through was appalling.

Yet, whenever I stare into the abyss of suffering, whether it is through interviews for my books, in my community or on the news, there are always points of light. These are kind and compassionate Christians who stand up for the oppressed and do so patiently without drawing attention to themselves. In my recent interviews, the heroes have been Pakistani Christian lawyers who have relentlessly brought case after case to court. Even when judges have not decided in their favour, they have tried again and refused to give up. For one girl, this was enough to rescue her; her abductor became exasperated with going to court and so allowed her to escape.

You could call these bright Christian lights fireflies; alone, they might do little to eliminate the darkness, but together, they illuminate a forest. And they are so beautiful to observe. They have taken Jesus words in Matthew 5:16 to heart:

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

I know that most of my readers are Christians, and you will also be involved in all sorts of acts of kindness and goodness. Thank you for your light. I pray that in 2025, Christ will continue to shine brightly through you and that the dance of other fireflies will encourage you.

Happy New Year, Anna

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