We have to do something…
Not sure exactly what it is, but in the course of the last year God has expanded my heart for the world. I grew up in the safe and secure environments of a Christian sub-culture that chose to watch what was pleasant and turn away when something uncomfortable was near. These are natural responses. But then you start to see that what’s happening in a large portion of the world is un-natural. Vista went to southern Africa last summer, and stories of pain, suffering, and windows of redemption stories were communicated. Vista is going back this Summer. Going to Cairo exposed us to a unique kind of suffering. The kind where it’s so overwhelming and large, one kind of wonders “how in the world is God going to restore this”? Though we know He is making all things new. Social Justice is starting to explode (a relative term) in the hearts and minds of young(er) Christ followers, as well as seasoned veterans of the evangelical world. There are businesses, corporations, entertainment/entertainers, and leaders who are starting to say…”We have to do something…”. A quick glance at the horror going on in our current humanity does something in our soul. It purges all of our safe and quite lame excuses - for not being involved - out of us, much like puking. But a good puking at that. I have started reading Mike Foster’s blog (which is fantastic…and so is his book by the way) and came across this video. I don’t even have a place in my mind to put what I watched. It’s like God reminding me that “things are not right, and I did not intend for you to have to understand this kind of brokenness”. Watch this, and you’ll see what I mean.
So, I don’t know your comfort levels. Your history. Your present. Your dreams. Or your retirement plans. But I’m convinced of this for you and me. Life must be spent on the gospel story of seeing these things redeemed. I, we, cannot observe anymore. We cannot. Just can’t. Not an option anymore…as if it was to begin with. It’s time to act. Not sure what that means for you. Might look small, might look grand and overwhelming. But, if it’s on your heart…it must be acted upon. Yes, we must pray. But no longer do we pray so that the conviction of something unsettling goes away over time. Now, we pray for how God would mobilize us…our churches…our families…our friends…our communities.
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thats just lame…did you see the Africa stuff on American Idol? Nuts.
There is no way to understand any of this, why God allows certain people, countries etc… to have so much suffering, pain and hopelessness. But there is hope, God has a plan, He sees the end, and He knows how all of this pain will bring Him glory. No it makes no sense to us, to sit here and see it happen, “Why do you let this happen? What are you doing?” Common thoughts in my life on a daily basis, but if we understood everything He was doing, we wouldnt need faith, or need Him at all.
Its comforting to know that this is just one thread in the t-shirt of life, and there are many more threads yet to be sewn, and that God is the master sewer.