This is entry is particularly hard for me to write about. I feel myself getting choked up just by the image above. Human trafficking, especially in the sex-trade, is an unthinkable evil for me. I don't understand how anyone could be this cruel, evil, or broken. I also know that as good people choose to think about this evil less, the more it will continue to grow and persist. But how Lord? How can I think about this? It hurts too much. Are these slave traders really the people who you came to save, the people who you died for? How can I love these people when they have done such evil things? Why can't I just pray for human trafficking to stop, and remain comfortable here at home?
Personal:
Did you pray about the atrocity of human trafficking today? What came about from your prayers? What do you think God expects us to do as wealthy power-wielding Christians?
Action:
1. Have you searched online to find out more about the slave trade? Give up watching a TV show, movie, or reading a magazine this week and learn more about the slave trade, who knows spending just 20 minutes of research online this week might mean liberty for a slave in your lifetime.
2. Why would someone become a slave trader? What do you think? Does anyone dream of becoming a slave-trader when they are young? How should we pray for slave-traders?
Posts
crazy, I just posted tons of news links earlier today on human trafficking, only to find out that today's blog from you is on the same subject.
ReplyDeleteI think a lot of people who do become slave traders get involved for the same reasons a lot of the times why people become slaves - so many of them are lured into the power and neediness that they are willing to use and harm others to get it without having compassion for the people that they will be harming in the way. Also in a lot of environments people are raised with this idea that it is "a part of life" so they get into it because their family has been a part of it for a long time. For instance, in Born Into Brothels (documentary that does focus human trafficking on the sex slaves' kids) talks about how one little girl will probably end up being a prostitute within a few years just like her mom, grandmother, great-grandmother, etc. . .her family ran a brothel and participated in the servicing too. Who knows how many of the people who are selling women across borders and forcing little children to make rugs or cut beadies/cigarettes, etc. . .do it because it is "in the family". They are taught early on to be better than someone else. It is extremely depressing.
I think a way to pray for the slave-traders is by asking God to help give them compassion for the people they are oppressing and for Jesus to give them conviction in their hearts and a willingness to change. I constantly pray that He will "turn Sauls into Pauls" in those who are oppressors.
Anyway, I am sure this could get much longer so I'll stop here.