I’ve questioned humanity many times in the last two days. I question how humans can be so cruel, how people can commit such horrific crimes and torture against their own people. How could God let such evil and terrible things happen? How can life be so unfair? How is it possible that such an event could be known about by so few people?
I’m sure by now you are puzzled and wondering what I am even talking about. What is this terrible crime against humanity that I speak of? The answer is this…The Cambodian Genocide by the Khmer Rouge. Until recently I had not been aware of this violation of human rights and the sanctity of life. This genocide happened during my parents lifetime, only a few years before I was born into this world. Now, here I am living in the very country that only 36 years ago was devastated by evil forces and a political leader that wanted to create a classless society. Cambodia’s political leader wanted to get rid of any people of importance, value, high standing, and higher level jobs. He was determined to rid the country of these people. He went so far as to eliminate their families and children as well. What kind of person imprisons, tortures and murders innocent men, women and children? Where was God during his time? An entire country was devastated and its society destroyed yet so few people are aware of these events. The knowledge people have is vague and simple. But I’ve seen the remains of clothing and bones that they recovered. I’ve seen the “Killing Fields”, the Genocide Museum and the prison. I’ve seen the pictures of the people that were killed. I’ve heard the words and voice recordings of victims and survivors.
I will ask again…where was God during this time? Why did He not show up?
The reality of the matter is that God was still there. He did show up. He was still good and He’s good now. But I don’t have the answer as to why He allowed such a thing to happen in Cambodia. I never will have the answer and I’m not meant to have the answer. I am not supposed to understand the ways of God. What I am required to do is trust, believe and obey. If this had not happened I would probably NOT be doing missions in this country at this very moment. Perhaps this country would be in an entirely different situation and missionaries would not feel called here or feel needed here. As I heard once before, “without suffering there can be no compassion”. I don’t know how true that statement is but seeing a world in such turmoil breaks my heart. God’s heart breaks when He sees His children acting in evil ways. He longs for peace but He also has a plan bigger then our human minds can comprehend. I want my heart to be broken for the things that break the heart of God. I long to serve those who have been wronged and hurt. I long to give them a better life. I long to help in some small way. I long to be one of God’s bright shining lights in this sometimes very dark and corrupt world.
Tragedies like this prove that there are dark and evil forces at work within this world. These spirits of darkness are working and pushing against good, pushing against us as Gods children and pushing against God Himself. But dark is no match for light. One tiny flame can light up a dark space. Light is more powerful then dark. Darkness CANNOT overcome the light. Lights burst and break through the dark, making the darkness flee. And with God these flames will NOT be snuffed out. When we trust in Him our flame is fanned into a bigger and more powerful flame. He walks before us into the darkness and we follow, bringing light into the dark and evil spaces. We have to glow with the light of God at all times, we carry the light and it’s not an easy task. Sometimes being the light means we will see, hear and experience life in ways we never imagined we would. We may feel burdened and heavy for others, for humanity, for God’s children. God has burdened me to feel and to see wrong in the world. I CANNOT turn away. It’s too late…I’ve asked Him to show me the truth.
