Today I got mad. Like, REALLY mad.
My teammate Taylor came up to me and seemed upset, so I asked her about it. She began telling me a few things she had heard about the major sex trafficking issue taking place here in the Dominican Republic and worldwide. Of course I was sad because it’s a horrible problem that is still prevalent in societies today, but I wasn’t completely overcome with grief during the conversation. For some reason the topic stayed on my mind… and the more I thought about it, the more infuriated I got. Eventually, I was sitting with tears streaming down my face because of the overwhelming anger I felt.
I was angry at all the the evil spirits in this world.
I was angry because people aren’t fighting for what is right.
I was angry because our society focuses on matters that are minuscule in comparison to these issues.
I was angry because even people who call themselves “Christians” aren’t doing anything.
I was angry because I’m not doing anything.
The evil I’m speaking of is not just limited to sex trafficking. It is in the people that have put guns into the innocent hands of children and used them as soldiers. It is in countries where it’s acceptable to kill people for having different beliefs than your own. Countries where homosexuals are violently murdered for who they choose to love. Religious extremists who terrorize people who follow a different god. Husbands who torment their wives in abusive relationships. There is so much hate and spiritual warfare in this world, but how many of us are taking action to fight against it?
I sat alone for a while watching this powerful storm outside, and I could just feel that God was upset too. He doesn’t want the devil having his way with this beautiful world He has created for us; He wants us fighting against the evil spirits, for His kingdom.
Through the tears, I explained my frustrations to my teammate Nick. He is the kind of person that you can easily trust with advice because you know he speaks the truth of God’s word. He spoke so much wisdom over me, and told me that the amount of sin in the world should upset all of us. Even Jesus grew angry and flipped tables when the house of the Father was being disrespected. But what really struck me was when he said, “The Lord has not called us to complacency.” As he said that, everything in me just said YES. At some point Christians, including myself, became complacent with just believing in the Lord. But God wants more from us. He has called us to be SERVANTS. He has called us to be His hands and feet on this Earth. God wants to use us to actively fight the evil spirits, while we await judgement day when He will return and eradicate evil forever.
I had heard about these issues before and seen them first hand in my travels but I have never felt conviction like this. I have never felt anger like this. I didn’t know what to do with myself because I could feel it consuming me. I prayed that the Lord would transform this anger inside of me into something beneficial for His kingdom. I now feel passion.
“For zeal for your house consumes me, and the insults of those who insult you fall on me” (Psalm 69:9)
Through all of this the Lord has shown me that I NEED Him to move forward. I can’t make a difference and fight this battle on my own.
This was the first time I have ever felt true dependence on the Lord.
Starting today, changes have to be made. The blood of Jesus set us free and now we are called to set the captives free in the name of Christ. I want to live each day intentionally serving Him because I believe chains will be broken and lives will be saved physically and spiritually. The entire world needs to step back and recognize the REAL issues. We need to constantly pray strength and perseverance over those being wronged by evil, as well as praying repentance and redemption for those committing evil acts.
Although I do feel angry right now about this situation, I am praying that the Lord will help me move forward in love. We are all sinners and Jesus died because the Lord loves ALL of us. We are called to love like He does, and that includes the murderer, the rapist, and the abuser. This is something I am struggling with, but I am hoping the Lord will soften my heart.
The Lord took what I thought was a random situation and used it intentionally to set my soul on fire. He revealed to me a passion for freedom that I wasn’t aware of. I am ready to step up and commit to being a servant of the Lord, instead of a complacent follower.
