Justice. Social Justice. Words we hear at lot, don’t you agree? They also seem to be really acceptable, honorable, even noble causes. I think it would be safe to say they are things that people of many different faiths would come together in an effort for the ‘common good’.
A few weeks ago, I observed some people who took this modern day cause from acceptable to extremely uncomfortable. A group from Inter Varsity at Drake campus hosted a Jesus, Justice, Poverty event. Here’s a description of the week from the IV leader, Amy Schoepf:
“Jesus, Justice, and Poverty is an event that our group puts on every three years to highlight issues from all over the world that we think Jesus cares about and that are relevant to the whole of campus. This year, the issue being highlighted is human trafficking and more specifically, sex trafficking. Human trafficking is a 32 billion dollar industry in the world, humans are being bought and sold and used for labor, sex, and anything in-between. 1.8 million of these are children, and are involved specifically in sex slavery. These children (and adults) have not chosen to put themselves into the ownership and slavery of another human—they have been put there by someone else. Tricked. Lied to. Deceived. Parents have been told “your child deserves a better future—I will take them to the city and allow them to work at my shop for great pay and will make sure they are well taken care of.”
The parent lets them go, believing that something wonderful awaits the future of their child and their family, and instead they arrive in their new home to discover the job they are working is having sex with whoever can afford them and their family, their innocence, and their freedom have completely vanished forever. It’s that simple. So we attempted to bring awareness to this particular piece of trafficking today on campus—answering the question, “how does it happen?” Just like that. Just like a flier advertising free burritos in the student union and upon arrival, there are no burritos, and instead you’re given a “SOLD” stamp and explained that you have just been “trafficked”. Then, given information about what exactly human trafficking is and its impact on our world today. Encouraged to be aware, to be concerned, and to take some kind of action.
There were many silent responses, people not even knowing how to wrap their minds around the facts just shared with them. Some wanted to know more. Others asked what they can do to help. And then there were the passionate ones who shouted angrily “This is bullshit!” [at the lack of burritos, not the facts about sex slavery], or ones who after hearing the facts about human trafficking, said “Wait, so there really are no burritos?” and stormed off. People angry and annoyed and passionate enough that they chalked on sidewalks “free burritos is a lie!”
We knew today’s event would have some push back. But honestly, the hostility of some students was shocking.” ~Amy Schoepf, Drake InterVarsity Leader
As a pastor and leader, I’m inspired by these young men and women. Inspired by their courage to ‘do something‘ to make the right people angry. They make all of us go from ‘caring about an issue’ to being forced to ‘feel’ what it means to be oppressed. To make us understand that if we care, we must act. I’m challenged to look around in my city, where are those being exploited, am I praying for them, is there a way that I can go to them and reach them with simple acts of Jesus kindness? Am I willing to be uncomfortable, to go without, to be acquainted with their greif and suffering?
We just celebrated Easter, and that is exactly what Jesus did for us. He became acquainted with our grief, suffering, humanity. He took on death and sin so we can be free. Now it’s our turn to become reluctant hero’s, and spread the good news to others. Even when we are ridiculed and made uncomfortable. I believe this is just the beginning of a revolution of love. I pray these young adults have not only changed some of lives at Drake, but also right here in our Vineyard in Des Moines. So, let’s take the risk, and love the person in front of us. What if social justice started with being the Good Samaritan? Love your neighbor, change the world.....social justice in action.
“This is how we’ve come to understand and experiecne love: Christ sacrificed his life for us. This why we ought to live sacrifically for our fellow believers, and not just be out for ourselves.” I John 3:16
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