When we first landed in Nairobi, Kenya the landscape was covered in darkness. It wasn’t until sunrise that I saw the iconic acacia trees lining my view in the distance. That was my official sub Saharan Africa moment. As I traveled from Nairobi to Lilongwe, Chipata and then Lusaka, I experienced moment after moment of wonder. I’ve known from childhood how richly adorned these countries are, nature herself unable to be modest in her beauty. However, coming face to face with the rich green land takes your breath away. You can’t help but want to worship God.
Soon after, my heart breaks. There’s no reason for countries in Africa to experience poverty. I’ve landed in cities in America, which look much more barren and dry, yet somehow we prosper. Then you can’t help but to ask God, why?
To which He quickly answers – Sin.
“The fallow ground of the poor would yield much food, but it is swept away through injustice.” – Proverbs 13:23
I’m happy to be in Zambia, but I struggle knowing that it’s not our aim to preach the Gospel with the intention of freeing people from the bondage of this terrible sin of injustice. We seem content that people should love God, follow Jesus, and remain impoverished; under the thumb of oppression. But the Bible says time and again calls us into action for justice.
“learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless and plead the widow’s cause.” – Isaiah 1:17
We somehow place the onus of overcoming on the victims of injustice and oppression, convinced that it’s their burden alone to bear. We go to people and “love on them” and tell them it’s because we love The Lord and we hope for it to draw them to God. Then we leave. I do believe that Jesus is enough, and the people I meet who do praise Him in the midst of their suffering encourage me greatly. But doesn’t God call us into action? I think of James, “Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?” – James 2:15-16
I pray that over the next 11 months, my passions to seek justice and fight oppression are not solely kindled, but wholly set ablaze. I know that when God calls us to action, He also equips us for the job. May this be a season of intense equipping.
