There have been so many things happen lately that make me feel helpless. Things that happen to me or to the ones I love that make me ask in utter desperation, “What can I do?”
The PARCC assessment tests and the Common Core (don’t get me started on the Common Core) are a couple things that come to mind. Loved ones that get sick. Good people dying way too young. Things that leave me frustrated thinking, “I have no voice.”
And ISIS. The senseless killings. The latest violence against those 21 men in Egypt. Beheaded because they believed in the Cross. For no other reason than they bear the name Christian.
We’ve seen the pictures. All of us. The news and social media have been flooded with them. Our conversations are consumed by them. Each one lined up with a person behind them ready to end their life.
And the thoughts are screaming inside of our heads. “Nooo! Why?! Why isn’t someone doing something?”
And then the tears. My heart is broken. We have friends with a Bible School in Egypt. These men weren’t their students or graduates. But they could have been. They’re just like them.
And the other thoughts. I’m glad it’s not here. I’m glad it’s not me. Or my husband. Or my kids. Would we? Would I? I like to think that answer would be yes. (It’s easy to think that in the comfort of my home in safe and free America.)
But Mikel expressed a desire to go to Afghanistan with CRI. They’re asking for worship leaders to come to the refugee camps. And my first reaction is, “No way! I’m not good with that.”
The truth is this could be any one of us. Anywhere. Any time. Because we claim the cross. Because we follow the One who hung on it. And He is offensive to so many.
I find it ironic that the very epitome of love is offensive. The Cross and His sacrifice on it are the grandest display of love ever shown in this universe, and so many are offended by it. By Him. By Love.
And in the midst of feeling helpless, like there’s nothing I can do, of feeling voiceless, that very cross is a reminder that those are all lies.
I’m not helpless. There is something powerful I can do. And I am only voiceless if I silence myself. If I don’t use my voice. If I don’t pray.
I can open my mouth to the One who gave me access through the cross to the All-Mighty God and ask for help. For intervention. For His plan and will to be done in this earth.
Jesus said the gates of hell shall not prevail against His church. He called us overcomers and conquerors. He’s already won this battle.
But we have a part to play. We need to pray. Pray for intervention. For protection for the Christians in Egypt. And the Middle East. And all over this world.
Pray for miracles. Pray for deliverance. Pray for victory over ISIS. Pray for governments to use their power and force to do their part.
Pray for the Gospel to continue to go forth. For laborers to continue to go into the harvest fields. For strength and boldness for our brothers and sisters in the fields.
What can we do? We can pray. It’s not just a last resort. It’s our first line of defense. And it’s powerful. We can use our voice and release God’s power into this earth.
Lord, break our hearts for what breaks Yours.