Working Through the "Whys"
“Abundance in the Wilderness” is a Lenten video devotional series put together by the Reformed Church in America’s Women’s Transformation and Leadership team. Receive these two-minute video devotions every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday during Lent, and each day of Holy Week by subscribing here: rca.org/lentvideos
Today’s video is by our board member who is also a missionary with the Reformed Church in America.
March 7, 2016—Abundance in the Wilderness from RCA on Vimeo.
What has you feeling down and defeated today?
Perhaps it’s something in your personal life? Health issues, relationship struggles with a family member or friend, or challenges at work.
Perhaps you are concerned about broader issues that seem beyond our realm of influence, like poverty, natural disasters, or slavery.
The Contemporary English Version of Ecclesiastes 8:16-17 says this: “Day and night I went without sleep, trying to understand what goes on in this world. I saw everything God does, and I realized that no one can really understand what happens. We may be very wise, but no matter how much we try or how much we claim to know, we cannot understand it all.”
Do you ever feel like a “bad Christian” for dwelling in the “whys?”? Last year, I was really struggling with the enormity of slavery in our world today and my calling to address this issue. I would go to conferences where speakers said things like “our generation can end slavery!” My struggle felt like a teeter totter as I balanced between conflicting thoughts: “we can end slavery!” and “there are approximately 35 million enslaved people in our world today, and we live in a world that has had slavery around for generations and generations – how can we possibly ever end it?”
The thing is – we cannot end slavery. We are sinful, greedy people. Only Christ, in his perfect justice, can end slavery. But don’t let that paralyze you into immobilization! We are people called by God to seek justice! Instead of telling ourselves “wecan end slavery,” we can be assured by this: “God will end slavery, and he calls us to action.”
“Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” Philippians 2:12-13 (NIV)
How is God calling you to seek justice?
And as you – as the video says – “ask these why questions,” how can we at Restorations help you discern how God might be calling you to help women escape commercial sexual exploitation?
Contact us: info@restorationscanada.org
