A couple weeks ago, I had the privilege of spending several days with “David” (not his real name),a local pastor whose story reflects both the pain and resilience of the church in the midst of conflict here in SE Asia. Not long ago,David’s home was bombed. He and his family survived, but the trauma lingers.

Only days after this traumatic event, David made the decision to attend a workshop I was facilitating on Jesus’ radical teaching: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44). Sitting together in that space, surrounded by others who have faced violence and loss, we wrestled with what it means to live out these words in real situations of danger and injustice. Against the backdrop of military terror we sang praises to Jesus, we mourned, and we hoped in a better future with laughter.

To be honest, I didn’t have answers for David. How do you explain loving one’s enemies to someone who has suffered so deeply? In moments like these, I’m reminded that our calling as followers of Jesus is not always about finding solutions or achieving visible “success.”Sometimes it is about being faithful, standing with one another,listening, and trusting that Christ is present even when the way forward is unclear.

David’s faith and courage left a deep impression on me. His willingness to engage with Jesus’ teaching, even in the wake of violence, is a living testimony of costly discipleship.

“Traveler, there is no path, the path is made by walking.”

— Antonio Muchado

I can’t claim to know the road through such violence and trauma. Maybe it doesn’t exist yet. But I can take the first small step,choosing not to hate those I’m expected to hate, and trusting that Christ will meet us along the way.