I am so sadden looking out into the world and seeing so many problems and tragedies and issues. Whether something on the larger scale that receives more media attention or smaller more "neighborhood" occurrences. There have been natural disasters like the earthquake in Mexico City and hurricanes in Texas, Florida, and Puerto Rico. There are the tragedies like the murders in Las Vegas. There are the deeply heartfelt convictions surrounding racial inequalities, supporting the U.S. military, and kneeling during the national anthem. These are just a few. There are many more examples of recent events, issues, and headlines that have popped up on my notifications and Facebook.
First and foremost, and I really want to emphasis this point... My heart and prayers go out to all those that have fallen victim, are suffering and grieving, and who are trying to put together their lives from any of these situations. The sudden loss of life and the suffering that results from natural disasters, and, I think even more so, from the hands of another human being is beyond words. My gratitude for the courageous men and women who have suffered and given the service of our country and for liberty is tremendous. Perhaps living out of the U.S. has given me an even deeper appreciation. My heart is heavy that a fellow human being is looked down upon and harassed due to the color of their skin.
And comes the question of what do we do about these things. How do we make it better? Do we open ports to a U.S. territory that is over $70 billion in debt to receive aid? For the safety of the general public, do we allow more conceal carry permits? Do we legislate stronger laws on gun control? To be honest... I don't know. And not to sound like a Debbie Downer, but we won't stop these things from happening. There will always be natural disasters. While we will make advances in mental health, we will never cure all mental illnesses, depression, anxiety, fear, etc. There will always be, at least on this side of eternity, prejudices, discrimination, violence, etc. Despite how well trained our law enforcement and just and firm our laws, all though a minority, there will always be those who disregard and break them. And occasionally even by those who wear the badge.
We should be striving to address and correct these tragedies and issues, but there is no magic wand, or pill, or simple solution to any of the world's problems and tragedies. I'm sorry, but there is not. The situations and the issues surrounding them are complex. There is never just a single thread, but a complex tapestry of a frail and damaged world. While ALL human beings are fundamentally good, for ALL are created in the image and likeness of God, we are broken, stained with original sin. I know it is cliché, but I have gotten so use to our fast food, Google, smartphone society, that sometimes I forget that 99% (made up figure) of real issues, problems, and tragedies of the world cannot be fixed like a drive thru or with a click on a screen.
This is not just an American reality. It can be found throughout the world. There is a young woman in her late teens with a year old daughter. For privacy's sake we will call her "Mary." For the past year we have been working with Mary trying to find ways to support her and her daughter, finically, emotionally, spiritually, etc. Unfortunately Mary's circumstances are not unique to the women of Mexico. Her boyfriend, the father of the child, cannot hold a steady job and is abusive. There is a roller coaster history of Mary leaving him and then returning. We have provided outs for her and have tried to help her become independent. It is an uphill battle, and one that Mary has to decide to choose for herself. We will continue to reach out to her and help her and love her. There is no magic wand. I cannot fix and change the situation with a quick swish and a puff of smoke.
The only solution is LOVE! It sounds so cliché! But it is true. I'm in no way talking about an emotion or some flighty idea or pie in the sky utopian. LOVE IS NOT A MAGIC WAND! Love takes work, sacrifice, and time. It involves truly listening to the other, striving for compassion. It strives to understand the depression, the loss, the grieving, the fear, the slavery that envelopes the emotions and the heart. It seeks out those trapped in mental illness, enslaved to poverty, and cast out onto the fridges of society. It praises those who have sacrificed much for society, and it stretches out its hand to those who have suffered much by society.
Love is not an easy fix and it costs much. Again, I risk sounding cliché, but look at the cross. The cross is not easy; it is not a magic wand. Christ poured Himself out totally and completely...
...for you...
...for me...
...for the whole world.
In this love, I can place my hope.
This past Wednesday was the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi. I cannot think of a more powerful prayer that captures the need for love to change our world.
Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.
O, Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love;
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
it is in dying that we are born again to eternal life.
P.S.
The ideas and thoughts for this post have been bouncing around and coming together for the past week or so. It took me a while just to figure out a title for this post. I was considering variety of options including a subtitle of "A missionary perspective on recent tragedies and headlines and the social media." As an FMC missionary, I'm careful regarding topics surrounding politics and as a rule I try to avoid it online and in social media (even before I was a missionary). My goal here is not to engage in politics. My attempt to thread a line through these issues and circumstances is not to end up sitting on a fence, but hopefully, through God's grace, transcend above them and to challenge, first foremost myself, to deeper conversion to the Gospel and to Christ's love. If you are interested in talking more about recent events, I would love to do so via email, over the phone, or even better, face to face in the future. I am eager to have these conversations, but please do not seek a political dialogue on this blog page or through Facebook.
