Dear Michael Arrington,

Your recent post about your persecution brings me tears, for a number of reasons. Many (including yourself) may think it’s odd that a man I’ve never met would cause me to be so concerned to the point of tears. To those that may wonder this it’s because of the compassion that I have for all people, especially those under great duress.

And it’s not because of anything of my doing (and I’ll explain that in a bit), but Michael, quite frankly, you are right: The world is full of people who are more passionate about bringing others down and bringing others pain than building them up and being a positive and encouraging force in their lives. That’s the nature of a world, from my perspective, that is “fallen,” and what I mean by that is that it’s really f’d up. Your experience proves this point and I don’t have to say much more.

So one of the first reasons for my emotion is because it shows that what you are doing is worthy of the microscopic scrutiny that it puts on you and your family. Essentially, it means that you’re being effective in what you do and are being affective in other people’s lives. That scares men because it challenges them. It threatens many, and that’s the issue.

Be encouraged. You’ve done great work so far, but be not surprised. And of course, the so-called “honeymoon” is apparently over.

The second reason is because you have an unbelievable opportunity before you to change men’s lives even greater than you have before. It may be hard to imagine, with all the power and equity that you have both in the online and offline world, but there are even greater works to be done.

Your time away from the “stage,” I pray, will be one of great health and renewal, and as you mentioned, I hope you’ll find answers to your question about”what you’re doing with your life.” This life is just a “drop in the bucket,” and as soon as you entered the world you’ll be gone. Things that aren’t “eternal” simply won’t last.

So I humbly challenge you to consider the “greater callings” in life and the things that matter, not to the world, but to you. This is not to encourage you to stop doing anything you’re doing because, as I had mentioned before, you’re doing great things and you’re impacting people’s lives for their own betterment. It’s a God-given place of power that He has given you and you’re doing a fine job Mike.

Finally, on a personal note, I want to share with you why I do what I do: It’s because of Jesus Christ, who died for me so that I may have the right “perspective” and that I may “truly live.” Although our platforms are vastly different, in scope, magnitude, and effect, our goal is the same as yours: To provide timely and valuable information for those that need it. The only difference, perhaps, is that something I’m also trying to communicate, is about something that’ll last them a lifetime and beyond. But I’m neither being critical or condemning, and I don’t suggest that you ought to do the same.

No one deserves to live in fear, but those that are doing great things often find themselves in positions that would seek to put them in those so-called crippling conditions. Stand strong and firm Michael, you’ve got people far outside your understandable and recognizable influence that support you, man to man, human to human.

We, at the ChurchCrunch community, love what you’re doing and love you and your team. Stay the course, and best wishes during this time off. Get some rest, and we’ll see you back soon.

John