God……Why?
Tonight I watched a video. A few Middle Eastern natives were watching it across the table from me. One of the guys himself was Syrian. All I heard was screaming, gun shots and fear. I asked them what it was about, he replied with sorrow, “Syrian’s are being shot left and right for their protests.” I answered with the fact that I didn’t realize it was so bad there and that it must be because our media has focused on the UN’s new venture in Libya and the redemption of Egypt. Although this should not be ignored and it is good to see the change, why has the eye of the media turned from Syria?
April 22,2011 was the bloodiest day Syria has seen thus far. 90 protestors were killed. I watched this 7 and a half minute video. My heart raced with fear and sharp pain pressed upon it. The images you see from this man’s camera are horrendous. Civilian men, like scattered rain drops on the street, lay on the street with crimson red that seeped from beneath them. You could see the realization in their eyes, the horror of how this day came to be their end. The camera all the while in a frenzy as the man behind it screamed names and the name of Allah and other blurbs of Arabic that I WANTED to understand, that someday I hope to understand. This man then ran to the aid of another as they dashed with a young boy in their arms. The boy was shot in several places, too wounded to survive. I wanted to cry. I wanted to be angry. I wanted it to change me in a big way. I wanted to throw down my books and finals and say “I have something else I need to take care of, that’s of more importance then an A (which I’m not getting by the way).” Get on plane and…….help? Can I help?
Tonight I cried to God over my personal frustrations and confusions. He let me. He comforted me. However, my thoughts shifted quickly to the image of a man in the video. Sorry this is rather graphic so you may want to skip this(though knowing I said that, it makes you want to read it more) again, sorry. He lay there on the ground several men had dragged him from harms way, wherever that is anymore. He groaned with pain. Eye’s fluttered between life and death. I don’t know if he’d been shot in the face but his chin and bottom lip were completely blown off. In my pillow, finally, I cried. I wept, for I had so many questions in my head. But it was mostly, Jesus Why?! Why has our world come to this? How can we let people live through these atrocities? How can I weep for silly fears? How can I go on having joy, knowing there so many laying out there helpless and hurting? And, oh, here’s the big one, God is this too big for You? Yes…I asked it.
My God is HUGE! And weeping. He has not turned his eyes from this country and it’s pain. He loves them. He died for them. For this pain, He understands. He understands? Yes.
Isaiah 53
There was nothing beautiful about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him. He was despised and rejected–a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. All the world turned their backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised and we did not care. Yet it was our weakness he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down……..Pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole, whipped so we could be healed………..He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word.
In deep waters, I will be with you. In rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. In the fires of oppression, you will not be burned up nor consumed by flames. For I am the Lord, your Savior. Isa. 43:1-3
How can you say God ignores your rights? Have you not heard or understood. I AM everlasting. I, the Lord, never grow weak or weary and you cannot measure the depths of my understanding. Trust in ME and you will find new strength. You will soar like an eagle, run and not grow weary, walk and not faint. Isa. 40:27-31
For He will break the yoke of their slavery and lift the heavy burden from their shoulders. The Lord will break the oppressor’s rod and their bloodstained uniforms will be fuel for the fire. For a child is born to us, a son given to us. The government will rest on His shoulders. He will be called: Wonderful, Counselor, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isa. 9:4-6
God, is this too big for you? I guess He answered my question. I cannot save Syria. Or the rest of the world. Although with all my heart I desire too, that burden has been taken. So I pray and I obey. I take a language that I don’t do as well at as others in my class because deep down Jesus says, “there’s purpose, there’s a purpose, trust my plan.” As for those who, may and I pray read or find this blog, pray. Even if it’s to the God that you don’t believe in. Because Syria, Libya, Darfur, Rwanda, Congo and all others struggling to survive need them, and sometimes it’s the only action we can take.
