Ferguson, Thailand and Justice.
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I used to think I had no real frame of mind for ‘justice’ or
‘fairness’. Yes, my Christian thought was to ‘pray for the oppressed’ and
‘fight for justice’. But the actions of my life or even, sadly, my prayer life
didn’t reflect my longing for God to bring justice to and save this broken
world.
Today I sit and reflect on the current events in Ferguson. Before
I begin, please know I am not taking a stance or writing to make a
political/racial point. But instead talk about the position of my heart with
the idea of justice. Before this past summer if the events of Ferguson had
occurred I would have read a few articles, maybe watch the news and be interested
in the outcome to an extent. But now? My heart aches at the thought of this broken
world where we are constantly reminded that there is no peace, full justice for
wrongs or rest until Jesus comes back. My heart aches for my African American
brothers and sisters who feel attacked and not honored or loved. My heart aches
for the city of Ferguson that is currently torn apart and in need of healing. My
heart longs for Revelation 7:9 where Heaven will consist of ONE people, all
together worshipping our Creator.
So what changed? Why can I not sit by like I once could and witness injustice, but now instead be burdened for God to swiftly act?
Jesus’ grace happened. This summer He graciously showed me
injustice firsthand in a way I hadn’t experienced before. Not just allowing me
to ‘see’ injustice, but become friends with the very ones experiencing it.
Things change when you become friends with the oppressed.
They are suddenly not distant people or a group you read articles about, but a
part of your life and heart.
In Thailand I had the honor to become friends with women who
worked in bars. As the trip went on, it became less ‘doing bar ministry at
night’ and more ‘I get to go hangout with my friends’, friends who just so
happen to work in bars in the red light district. I now feel the weight and darkness
around sex trafficking, slavery, bondage and abuse because it isn’t something
that I read about in articles or blogs but is something my own friends are
experiencing.
Suddenly justice isn’t just a distant idea, but an issue
that weighs my heart. And not in an overly dramatic way, but in the realization
that this isn’t what life is meant to be like. God didn’t intend for women and
men to be bought and taken advantage of. God didn’t intend for racial division
and strife. God loves all His children and has called us to pray and intercede
for Jesus to come and move during our day because we are ALL in desperate need
of Him.
Something deeply moving and beautiful happens when you
become more than a bystander of injustice. When the things on your TV don’t
just cause you to rethink things for a moment but instead be deeply moved to
prayer and intercession for this broken world.
Don’t think that there is nothing you can do about justice. Don't just be in denial and want to be uninformed on the issues of this world. What can you do? You can pray, with expectancy and urgency.
If you are a believer, God has graciously allowed you to experience His grace
in justice firsthand. At one point God allowed you to feel your brokenness and
need for something greater than yourself to save you. Jesus Christ took
your penalty excusing all the wrongdoing you had committed. You, yourself, have
experienced grace and the pardon of what you deserved. Justice in our world must be met
with love, grace and a desire for God to mend the brokenness like He has in our
own hearts.
Jesus’ heart breaks over the red light districts around the
world. Jesus’ heart breaks over Ferguson and the racial tension in our
generation.
For He did not come to condemn the world, but to save the
world (John 3:17). Praise God, that His character is one of grace, love and
justice. May we desire to have His heart in a time where the world desperately
needs it. May we desire to become friends with and fight for the oppressed.
Other resources on Ferguson, privilege, and justice: