Storm Watching

Rain

The rain is raining all around,

It falls on field and tree,

It rains on the umbrellas here,

And on the ships at sea.

~Robert Louis Stevenson

Last night I awoke to loud claps of thunder and I knew despite my prayers for a sunny day today that we would have our share of rain today.   We have our end of year party this afternoon, and this year we decided to do something different.  Instead of having an inside pizza party, we decided to do an outside cookout - it's gonna be awesome...if this rain would go away.   And as much as I think of the rain as my struggle today, there are much bigger storms that I want to stand against.

I was watching some news last night, something I don't do very often.   And a man that was a tornado survivor said something about the storm that resounded with me.   He spoke of how the tornado didn't care if the people were rich or poor, mayor or beggar.    At the end of the storm, they were all left the same - houses ruined, land torn to pieces, stores destroyed, livestock killed.     Left with nothing.   They all had to start from scratch, and they all had to come together, to decide to rebuild their town.    Even though it was a task bigger than they could imagine, today they have a rebuilt city, that is more beautiful than anything they had before.

Sunday we were able to go to a service that was about slavery still existing today.    How over 27 million people are in bondage to slavery today - not 100 years ago - TODAY.    92% being women and children - and 50% being children.   Women like me...children like mine.    We learned horrendous truths about people being tricked into slavery and amazing stories of slaves being rescued out of bondage.     

The question that begins to be overwhelming is "what can I do about it?"    And the truth is, is that alone, we can not do very much.    But standing together, with Christ, we would be able to.    The church has got to find a way to come together, and stand against the injustices in this world.   We can no longer sit by and say, well, that happens, and it's awful, but there's nothing we can do about it.    

I love how Isaiah reminds us of this...

"The Lord has sent us to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives, and release from darkness for the prisoners, and to comfort all who mourn."   Isa. 61:1-2

And this in Micah...

He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?

It is not an option of whether it is our call or not.   The Lord has clearly said, this is what I want!  This is what I require.    So, today I would challenge you to pray for those in bondage - whether they are high school girls in your own town, or children across the globe intrenched in evil against their will, would you join with me to be a part of this storm.   Would you offer up what you have to the Lord, and ask Him, to do something about this so present darkness?  About this dreadful storm.