For the past three Monday mornings we've watched a documentary entitled "Bulgaria's Abandoned Children" during our corporate devotions time. The description of the documentary is:
"A disturbing portrait of life in a Bulgarian Children's Institute exposed by Kate Blewett. Bulgaria has more institutionalized mentally and physically disabled children than anywhere in Europe"
It's been a difficult documentary to watch, particularly on a Monday morning as we are starting our work week and looking for a 'get me pumped up for the week' message. But the thought came to me, if it is difficult for me to watch for a half hour on a Monday morning, how intensely more difficult must it be to live as one of these children in it. The verse from Proverbs 31:8-9 keeps echoing through my head
8 Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves;
ensure justice for those being crushed.
9 Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless,
and see that they get justice.
Honestly, many times I'm not sure what to do or how to respond. It seems so – overwhelming. I have grown up in a time and society where comfort and ease have almost become considered inalienable rights. We don't like things that disturb us or cause us discomfort. We distance ourselves; we focus on the positives and tend to avoid depressing news and topics that 'bring us down'. But here's the thing, God has not called us to lives of comfort, ease and complacency. The more we learn of God's heart, His justice, His call to His people - the more agitated, discontent and disturbed we will become. I think perhaps it is why we tend to keep God at bay in our lives. We want the benefits of God – His forgiveness, His blessings, His acceptance, His hearing and answering my prayers, but I'm not sure we equally desire the implications of His Call, His radical ideas of justice and His expectations of us to seek out and find those who are broken, oppressed and forgotten.
We have bought into the party line that salvation is free and therefore there is no expectation or obligation. While it is true that we cannot earn our salvation, and that it is given to us a gift – that gift still require a payment – It's just that we don't pay for it – Christ did. Additionally it is true that God does not desire for us to live under the compulsion of working for our salvation (so that no man can boast), however, our salvation needs to be worked and lived out. Salvation is the most costly 'free' gift in the Universe – the death of Christ. We are also saved 'unto and into' something – the Kingdom of God. A huge part of the 'salvation' package is that God's sacred heart is embedded in us. Here's where the potential problem occurs for us, God's heart is agitated, disturbed and discontent. It will be until 'he leads justice to victory and in His name the gentiles have hope' (Matt 12:20 -21). As His people, we are called to lives of Holy discontent. It does not mean that we will not experience joy, pleasure and goodness, but it does mean that we find our source of these in our participation with God in the living out of Proverbs 31:8-9. What greater activity can there be than to be a part of bringing justice to victory with Him? This is not just a future hope, but a present reality that those like the children featured in this documentary (and others around the world) can experience when His people live out a salvation that works – because of that free gift. We are part of a ministry, Christian Horizons, that can is reaching out and making a different here at home and around the world. As we give to Him our time, our hands, our minds and our hearts He will continue to lead us forward as long as there are those that have exceptional needs.
Gal 6:9 9 So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.
For us a big part of the reaping of that blessing is not what WE benefit, but what those in need receive.
Anyway I was just thinking.
Neil
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