I recently saw a post from a squad mate that stirred
something in me and prompted me to write this blog. She was commenting on the recent media stories regarding
KONY 2012 , Trayvon Martin and the upcoming political elections. All of these media stories have caused
discussions on race and justice, among other things. In particular, in regards to the KONY and Trayvon Martin
cases, the topic of justice has taken the forefront.
While on the World Race I was constantly confronted with
horrible injustice. I saw it in
every country. From boys and girls
being bought and sold as sex slaves in Thailand, to children abused and
abandoned by alcoholic parents. It was everywhere, and it was heartbreaking. My initial reaction when confronted
with these situations was (as I think is for most): “This situation demands justice. Someone needs to pay for this.�
But I’m realizing more and more that this response, although
justified, is lacking in mercy. As
Christians, we are called to a higher standard. You see, God loves the abused, but he also loves the abuser. Christ died on the cross for both. By no means am I saying that criminals should not be brought
to justice. Our God is a just
God. But I do believe that we are
called to respond by seeking justice and LOVING mercy.
Social justice seeks justice and mercy solely for the
oppressed. God’s word calls us to
seek justice and mercy for the oppressed AND the oppressor. In this way, we will be able to show
all people the LOVE of Christ! We
have to be on guard against responding to worldly injustice in a worldly way. We have to love deeply, because we have
been deeply loved. We have to show
great mercy because great mercy has been shown to us. Personally, I wonder if sometimes I have trouble showing
mercy because I fail to understand the depth of my sin and how much grace and
mercy has been shown to me through Christ.
So brothers and sisters, I encourage you to PRAY. Pray for the trafficked and pray for
the trafficker. Pray for the abused and pray for the abuser. Pray for
those affected by KONY, but also pray for KONY himself. Pray for Trayvon Martin’s family, but
also pray for George Zimmerman and his family. Pray for those in the political party you favor and pray
those in the party you disagree with. In doing so we will show the world Christ’s love and mercy.
“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love
mercy and to walk humbly with your God.� Micah 6:8
