Let Freedom RIng ...

Last Sunday, I watched Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech in its entirety, something I've probably not done since high school.

First, I'd never realized how much of his theme comes directly from Scripture. Freedom and justice are not exactly side issues in the Bible. It's easy for us to overlook the Bible's influence in America's fight for human rights, but it's clear that King drew heavily from what God has to say about the issue.

Second, a few tears rolled down my face as I realized that what he was saying about the oppression of African Americans in my country still applies to plight of the enslaved around the world. The fight for equality in the United states has not been won. It's better, but we're not there. And it feels that the fight on behalf of the enslaved has barely begun.

But King painted a vision of the world where freedom would ring from every mountaintop, to every valley, to every person. He quoted the Bible when he said, "I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together."

This is God's vision for His creation. And it inspires me to keep crying out to Him to show me how to bring justice and freedom to His world. I know that can't do it on my own. I know it won't be fully enacted until Jesus returns. But I know that this is God's theme: That all the oppressed—both physically and spiritually—would know freedom, justice and mercy; that they would see His love and compassion for them; that they would see His love through us as we fight for them.

If you would like to read the entire speech, click on the title of this post. I believe there is also a link to the video.

Thanks, and a very late Happy MLK Day to all.

"Uncoordinated and Inefficient"

"The fact that slavery—in the form of human trafficking—still exists in the 21st century shames us all. Governments, international organizations and civil society are devoting considerable efforts to counter it, but there is still an information deficit about the extent of this tragedy. Only by understanding its depth, breadth and scope can we design policies to fight it. This understanding still eludes us: efforts to counter trafficking have so far been uncoordinated and inefficient. This Report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime is our first attempt to close the knowledge gap."

—From the Foreword by Executive Director Antonio Maria Costa Report, UN report on Trafficking in human beings: Global Patterns

A commenter on my previous post directed me to the UN site about human trafficking. It looks as though there is some good information. (Thanks, Tushar!)

Just looking at the introduction to the UN report on global patterns in trafficking, a phrase jumped out: "Efforts to counter trafficking have so far been uncoordinated and inefficient."

Today my prayer is that God will help each person fighting this evil to recognize ways to cooperate with other fighters.

Lord, prevent us from duplicating our efforts, fighting one another, wasting time and resources and ignoring the efforts of other people of good conscience. Open our eyes to new ideas and new allies as we seek to save the oppressed.

Another interesting point in the introduction is that there is an "information deficit." Within our local group, many of us are involved in some type of communications, mostly writing. This is probably not a coincidence ...

Letting Go of the Big Things

“I have held many things in my hands and I have lost them all. But whatever I have placed in God’s hands, that I still possess.”
—Martin Luther

“The taking up of the cross of Christ is no great action done once for all; it consists in the continual practice of small duties which are distasteful to us.”
—John Henry Newman

Funny how when we fail to learn these two lessons—or just forget them—God makes sure we get the point. As I try to be obedient and take action about slavery (as well as deal with other situations in my life) I want to be so careful not to do what seems right to me and miss God's greater plans. Also, I need to remember that God works through small, daily acts of obedience as much as He does through the big, showy steps we would rather take. ... Especially when we think people are watching.

God, help us to recognize how the small and unremarkable tasks of life—when combined with faithfulness, obedience and reliance on Your Spirit—can accomplish more than our boldest, loudest declarations.

My many thanks to the bloggers from whom I've borrowed these quotes! You've inspired me.

Quote

The important work of moving the world forward does not wait to be done by perfect men.
--George Eliot