It’s tempting to think of God as some sort of cosmic gumball machine.
We input our prayers (and good behavior, of course), twist the knob, and wait patiently for our request to be granted. Lots and lots of just the right words pronounced from just the right position make it even more likely we’ll get the proper result.
I need a sarcasm font… because we know that’s not how it works. Certainly, it’s important to talk to God about our needs and concerns, but Jesus said he knows our needs before we ask. It’s the conversation, the relationship, that matters.
Wouldn’t it be nice if we could just pray for human trafficking to end, then just wait for God to wave his hand and put an end to this horrible evil? He could have done it that way, but he chose a different path.
He chose to send Jesus to establish his kingdom, right here, right now – and not yet. And we’re invited into the process.
Jesus assures us he will travel with us on the road to building this kingdom. But we have to do our part.
So, when we tell him how horrible it is that children are forced into sex trafficking, he says, “I absolutely agree. Let’s do something about it.”
I firmly believe no child is truly rescued and restored without the loving hand of Jesus. By ourselves, you and I and the Project Rescue missionaries can only do so much. Authentic restoration requires a heart change that only comes through Jesus.
But building the homes, providing medical care, sitting with traumatized children through difficult nights, befriending traffickers and showing them the possibility of a different life – and raising funds to support all that work – is our part of the bargain.
Pray, absolutely. But then – let’s get to work.