Today we learned a lot about the work of International Justice Mission. That’s Karen from IJM during her presentation.
It’s not a fun topic. The stories are difficult and dark. It’s hard to listen without becoming outraged and angry. Even the stories of victory and rescue tear at your soul as you look into young eyes that have endured unspeakable horrors.
In several contexts a question emerged: where’s Jesus, and why doesn’t He put a stop to these atrocities? We talked about being His hands and feet, how in some small way He’s using our pedaling to reach into this horrible darkness.
It’s impossible to hear the stories without feeling horrified. You only need to read Psalm 10 to understand that God’s horrified as well.
But something else struck me. I don’t want to spend the next week riding in anger. I don’t think that’s the way to follow Jesus.
I want to advocate, not oppose. I want to be FOR freedom, not against the oppressors. I want to remember that Jesus didn’t talk only about loving the easy-to-love. In fact, He told us to love our enemies.
But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:44-45a
It’s hard to imagine loving those who enslave people and sell children into prostitution. But that’s exactly what He did. It’s what He asks of us.
Following Jesus, loving your enemies, riding a bike 500 miles–nobody said it was all about being easy.
I don’t want to be against evil. I want to be for love.
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Oh I want to be for love too and not for evil! I love what you had to say – how powerful! God bless
I do not know about you —but I am heartily sick of the political ads–It does not matter whether it is Republican or Democrat’s that send them out! — They all bad mouth the other guy –present no concrete or interesting solutions to the mess that politics or this country is in.
Today I ran into this quote which totally works for me as a response
******”Something struck me. I don’t want to spend the my life in anger. I don’t think that’s the way to follow Jesus.
I want to advocate, not oppose. I want to be FOR freedom, not against the oppressors. I want to remember that Jesus didn’t talk only about loving the easy-to-love. In fact, He told us to love our enemies.
‘But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:44-45a'”
Thank you for giving me the quote to share and to communicate to others how I feel without being offensive!