As I’ve been back I’ve been walking through healing and
processing the injustices I saw and experienced around the world. Yesterday, I found
myself processing Phuket, Thailand and our work with human trafficking on Bangala
Road.
Bangala Road is a road that has over 150 bars on it. Each
bar has between 6-11 women working. If you run the numbers, that is at minimum 900
women working within the bars on this street. That may seem staggering but that is just 1 street within this city and that does not include the many
other positions on the street – pimps, prostitutes, peep show salers, etc. It’s an overwhelming industry and a hard reality to wrap my mind around.
The street if filled with chaos, confusion, lust,
addiction, and pain.
Men and women work all night into the morning, sleep a few hours, and then do it all over again, 7 days a week.
But yesterday as I processed, my eyes were opened, healing came. I no longer looked only through my human physical lens but I invited Christ into the moment and memory with me and began to see through his eyes. I began to see the Kingdom reality that was there. And it was so fitting for today, Good Friday, a day the Lord gave himself for us. And a day I celebrated on the streets of Phuket just 1 year ago. Let me invite you into the moment….
I found myself standing on Bangla Road angry, broken, and hopeless. I was overcome by the enormity and chaos that surrounded me. All I wanted to do was scream WAKE UP! I wanted to scream and let people know that this wasn’t normal, it wasn’t okay.
And then Jesus entered in.
Jesus revealed his presence on this street. He showed me how nothing is hidden from him, how he walks the streets every night and knows each person by name. Some nights he covers the women in his wings making them invisible, protecting them from harm, saving them for him and him alone. He showed me the legion of angels that are there battling for those on the street and he showed me the light and brilliance that illuminated the street.
“Even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.” (Psalm 139:12)
Darkness does not cover the street, instead it is lite up by the glory of the angels, the worship of his children he has sent there, and the prayers of those all around the world. The people there are not lost or abandoned, Christ’s presence is so very real there.
And then my attention came to a cross.
Jesus hung before me on that cross in the middle of the street.
“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” (Luke 23:34) ALL that takes place here is forgiven. I gave my life for those surrounding you, Megan. They are forgiven.
It was like a brick that fell to the bottom of my well, or my spirit.
Forgiveness.
Grace.
Judgement.
Christ freely gives without judgement.
Something my heart struggled with. My heart couldn’t help but judge those who propel and fund this industry. I was angry at them! But Jesus tenderly looked into my eyes and spoke to my heart in words I can’t describe. He spoke to me about each individual on that street. How each one was worthy. Worthy of his love and his forgiveness. Even if they run a bar, kidnap, or entrap. Each is forgiven and known.
His heart cries out for JUSTICE, but it also LOVES tenderly and fiercely.
As I looked at him on the cross, a new depth to Christ’s sacrifice overcame me. Speechless and humbled, I walk into this Good Friday.
Reminded of a blameless and sinless man who gave his life so that I can have life to the FULL. A man was beat, blundered, mocked, and scorned for me…for ALL of us – from America to China, to Tanzania to Thailand. Jesus gave his life FREELY, without reservation.
……..
It just carries a new weight this year.
I am forever grateful for his sacrifice.
And to celebrate and give him praise, I find myself dancing to the song below – So good to me! It’s the anthem of my heart and rhythm at my feet.
He pulled me up out of the miry clay, set my feet upon the Rock, gave me beauty for ashes and joy for my mourning.
He put a new song in my mouth and a crown upon my head.
He gave me life forevermore.
You will be a crown of splendor in the LORD’s hand,
a royal diadem in the hand of your God.
No longer will they call you Deserted,
or name your land Desolate.
But you will be called Hephzibah (my delight is in her),
and your land Beulah (married);
for the LORD will take delight in you…
You will be called the Holy People,
the Redeemed of the LORD;
and you will be called Sought After,
the City No Longer Deserted.
Thank you Lord for your sacrifice…..
