Last Friday evening I had the great pleasure of hearing Stephen Lewis speak.  He was invited to the Comox Valley by the World Community Development Education Society (a local organization with a big heart for global social justice.)  I have long been inspired by Stephen Lewis, and so I was incredibly excited to join 1699 other people for his visit.  As Stephen shared his experiences, dreams, frustrations, and ambitions related to helping the continent of Africa I was again moved by a man who's heart beats so deeply for others.  It was so incredible to hear detailed and educated accounts of the alarming and complicated injustices facing the African people.  It would have been impossible to not be touched by story after story of how it's impacting lives.  Just as moving was the response of the 1700 that had gathered to hear Stephen Lewis speak.  The applause that filled the room multiple times through out the evening stirred me deeply.  It spoke of peoples deep commitment to help the ease the suffering of others.  I was in that moment reminded that as humans we are created in God's image and therefore have an intrinsic dedication to seeing justice come to the lives of the broken and the poor.  

Over an over Stephen Lewis made reference to promises that governments have made and subsequently broken.  He asked the question that is on so many of our hearts when we encounter the injustices of this world… "How can this happen?"  In a day and age when solutions are available, people are still dying at a rapid rate.  Why!?  You could almost feel the weight and desperation behind that question as it filled the hearts and minds of each one present.  This brings me back to the most significant thing I took away from the evening:  people… Canadians… care.  Often I have felt that our governments do not represent our commitment to fight injustice very well.  That doesn't change the fact that when you get down to the grassroots of the issues we are ready and willing to do what we can.  I celebrate the heart and passion that I experienced in that room Friday night.  I don't often see it, but I believe that at it's core is the heart of our creator who admittedly came to

"to bring good news to the poor.  …to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed."  Isaiah 61.1

 
Stephen Lewis inspired me on Friday night, but more importantly, God spoke.  I am reminded yet again that what the world needs desperately, what Africa needs desperately, is not only better government, access to schools, AIDs drugs, and money.  We need a saviour, and it's only as we allow Christ to be that for us that we'll be able to really do something with the passion for justice that He gave to us when we were created.  Stephen Lewis mentioned a conversation he'd had with an African woman that quite perplexed him.  He asked her what she and others like her were doing to help meet the needs of their immediate surroundings.  She simply told him "we pray".  Today, I join that woman and many like her in prayer.  I pray that God brings healing and justice to the people of Africa.  I pray that his love and life come to that continent, and that they see Him as saviour.  I pray too for Stephen Lewis and the thousands of people who so honourably give their lives and hearts to bring justice where there is none.  I pray they too meet the God of Justice as they put their hands to the work of His heart.  Finally, I pray that the inspiring commitment an passion for justice that filled that room Friday night would rock the Church.

For the next week I feel challenged to meditate on God's word as it relates to this heart for justice.  One verse that stands out to me, and I will allow to permeate my heart is Micha 6:8

He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.

Teach us God.  Give us your heart.  Fill us with mercy as we are humbled today in the face of injustice.  To our great collective "WHY!?" we pray that you'd come and speak truth and understanding.  Bring peace Father.  Pour out mercy.  Let there be justice.

If you're interested in learning more about what's going on in Africa I HIGHLY recommend Stephen's book Race Against Time

This entry was posted on Wednesday, July 2nd, 2008 at 11:53 am and is filed under eyes and ears, lessons, musings, stories. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.