Freedom

Tuesday, Americans across the country celebrated our independence. To mark my own patriotism, I spent the evening with my friend A. with plans to watch fireworks. As we waited for darkness to come, we watched a film called Invisible Children, the tragic true story of children in Uganda who are abducted and forced to join a rebel army. Most of the children are between the ages of 6 and 12 and they are exposed to some of the most gruesome experiences imaginable. They are threatened with abuse and death if they do not fight and kill and they live in daily fear for their lives.

As A. and I drove up the hill to watch the fireworks, I contemplated the absurdity of it. Americans spent thousands of dollars that literally goes up in smoke to celebrate the freedom we so easily take for granted, while the Ugandan children celebrate and thank God for surviving one more day.

The suffering in Uganda, Sudan, and other parts of the world should, at the very least, make us pause and think. What part should we as Christians be playing? Is there more that we can do in addition to praying? Is there more that our government should be doing? I remember reading a sign at Dachau concentration camp in Germany that read, "Never again." Many nations vowed that they would not let another Holocaust take place. So, what about Uganda? What about Sudan? What about Rwanda? What am I going to do about it?

Loving Father, if my heart is burdened by this suffering, how much more must Your heart break? I am reminded that the religion You accept "as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world" (James 1:27). Please envelop these innocent ones in Your healing arms and may they find their hope and freedom in Your salvation.