When I look around at the world today, I see many beautiful things. People are living their lives out loud on social media and it makes it seem like the world is doing just fine. Some of my friends are traveling the world, some are enjoying their staycations, and others are just enjoying life day by day. Its not that any of this is wrong, its just not an accurate representation of what is going on in the world today.
On August 7, Migration Flows- Europe posted this infographic. So far, in 2017, we have seen 116,692 refugees arriving by sea into Europe. There were also a total of 2,405 who have died at sea or have gone missing. These numbers are down significantly from 2016, but we still have a desperate situation on our hands.
The USA, under President Trump, will admit a max. of 50,000 refugees in the 2017 year, also significantly less than the 85,000 that President Obama admitted in the 2016 year. These refugees have names, families, careers, desires and lives, most of which have been taken from them, or had to be left behind on their journey. A family posting their house boat trip on Instagram looks very different than a refugee family at sea, fleeing for their lives and for their freedom. Once again, the houseboat trip is not wrong, in fact, I would love a houseboat trip, its just not the way everyone is spending their summers.
The answer, take some time to remember and pray for those fleeing and being forced from their homes. Take time, once in a while, to check in on the world and the injustice happening around us. Read in the Bible about how Jesus tells us to welcome the stranger. Watch a video on the refugee crisis and see how you can get involved. Join us this October as we spend the month looking at issues of injustice and how we can respond.
This is not to make you feel guilty, its to make you feel aware, engaged and enraged. Welcoming the stranger, seeking justice and loving others are not weak suggestions by Jesus, they are requirements for the follower of Jesus.
Peace.
