'Like a hero who takes the stage when we're
on the edge of our seat saying
it's too late
Let me introduce you to amazing grace'
mercyme
Do you ever feel like you're witnessing a special moment in history? It hasn't happened to me often in my life, but it did recently.
The stories were there- the war, the refugees, the boats full of desperate people. And the reactions of the politicians and the media were there- don't let them in- protect the borders, the likes of Katie Hopkins writing vitriol that sounded like Hitler, and getting published.
And then, That Picture- and suddenly, a wave of compassion, a critical mass of voices saying, enough! do something! Not just here but in Germany, Iceland, forcing the hands of politicians who were several steps behind. I have plenty of friends who post political and current news items on social media, but suddenly this was everyone. It felt amazing to see that despite a recent trend of unpleasant rhetoric of dehumanising people, most folk can see and recognize human suffering for what it is- another person in need.
Someone has called compassion 'God's currency'- and there is plenty in circulation right now.
As you probably know, I have been collecting clothes to be shipped out to refugee camps across the Middle East. It has been so heart-warming to see people's generosity and thoughtfulness- to see them reflecting their Heavenly Maker's image whether they know it or not in their care for another, and living out His words that 'anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none'* and 'I needed clothes and you clothed me'.**
'You clothed me'.
'If you take your neighbour's cloak as a pledge, return it by sunset, because that cloak is the only covering your neighbour has. What else can they sleep in? When they cry out to me, I will hear, for I am compassionate.' Exodus 22
'But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love.' Psalm 103
'When he saw the crowds he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd'. Matthew 9
'Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after widows and orphans in distress' James 1
*Luke chapter 3
**Matthew chapter 25
As you probably know, I have been collecting clothes to be shipped out to refugee camps across the Middle East. It has been so heart-warming to see people's generosity and thoughtfulness- to see them reflecting their Heavenly Maker's image whether they know it or not in their care for another, and living out His words that 'anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none'* and 'I needed clothes and you clothed me'.**
'You clothed me'.
'If you take your neighbour's cloak as a pledge, return it by sunset, because that cloak is the only covering your neighbour has. What else can they sleep in? When they cry out to me, I will hear, for I am compassionate.' Exodus 22
'But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love.' Psalm 103
'When he saw the crowds he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd'. Matthew 9
'Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after widows and orphans in distress' James 1
*Luke chapter 3
**Matthew chapter 25
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