Reflections from Pastor John Cao is a series of poetry and writings from the recently released Chinese Christian prisoner of conscience exclusively published by ChinaAid. The piece below was written on March 29, 2024 and has been minimally edited for clarity. To read more of Pastor John Cao’s poetry, one can purchase the collection written while he was imprisoned, Living Lyrics: Poems from Prison.
Introduction: This is an era that advocates win-win situations. It can be said that in the game between my opponent and me, both my opponent and I are winners, achieving a win-win outcome. Neither of us has lost in this era.
Win-Win
You walked up the podium of power along the crimson steps,
I ascended to the podium before the throne by way of the cross;
You relied on the bread of human blood,
I relied on the cup and bread of the Son of Man;
You employed a strategy of intrigue,
I cast forth a pattern of endurance;
You viewed staying in power as the highest duty,
I took lowliness as the starting point of exaltation;
You wiretapped my phones,
I listened to the revelations of God.
You brainwashed the people through the CCTV news,
I fortified myself against worldliness through God’s revelations.
You won victory in the courtroom,
I won the hearts of the righteous people worldwide;
Through oppressing me you oppressed the church,
Through hardship I built up the church;
Through Judas you found out the church’s members,
Through you I recognized this world’s blood-lust;
You tried a thousand ways to scatter the flock of sheep,
Yet the flock of sheep united unprecedentedly;
You thought you dug an enormous pitfall for me,
I spent seven years peacefully in the belly of the great fish;
You proclaimed religious freedom,
Yet could not tolerate house churches;
You successfully labeled me as enemy,
I learned to love and bless my foes.
