Through much prayer and with a heavy heart, I have seen the fallout of the Paris tragedy unfold; I’ve read the FB posts, followed conversations and comments. There is so much hate. So much fear. So much pain and grief. Thus far I have managed to stay silent. Not engaging. Not getting involved. Trying to remain in the background. But I can’t anymore. I cannot keep silent. I feel very much like the prophet Jeremiah described – with a fire shut up in my bones and I am weary of forbearing. I know there are a lot of people out there who will not agree with me. I’m sure I may even receive some backlash, but that is the beauty of living a country where free speech exists. You have a right to voice your thoughts and now I am exercising my right to voice mine.
The common sentiment that I see trending on social media right now is in regards to the acceptance of Syrian and Iraqi refugees into North America. The thought is that if we deny refugees entrance into our country we will remain safe. So we will just close our borders and create a nice little haven for ourselves here and forget about the pain that lies beyond our shores. That is a very utopian idea, but not at all realistic or beneficial in the grand scheme of things. I know that people are concerned that radical jihadists are infiltrating the masses of refugees and installing themselves in the countries that accept them in order to commit acts of terrorism and the reality is that they have. But if you really think that refusing them entrance is going to stop them from coming, you are living in ignorance. History has shown us again and again that if evil people want to get in, they will find a way to get in. The threat does not diminish simply because we believe it will.
How can I accept such an idea, not just as a Canadian who enjoys the freedoms and privileges that so many long for, but also more importantly as a Christian? Does turning away from those in need embody the teachings of the Christ that I profess to serve? The last command that Jesus gave to his disciples was this: go into all the world and teach the nations the good news. What good news do we have to share if we slam the door in the face of those who request our help? Am I entitled to a better life just because of the place I was born? Or does that leave me with a greater responsibility to those in need?
Jesus went out of His way to find the hurting, the oppressed, the downtrodden, and he reached out his hand to them. One of the greatest complaints of the religious leaders of the day is that He hung out with the undesirables of their culture. He touched the untouchable. One of my favorite accounts in the gospels is of the woman at the well in John 4. Jesus went out of His way to pass through a territory that most Jews avoided because of the fierce hatred that they had for the Samaritan people. He made a point of speaking to a woman whom most would have ignored and as a result of that encounter her life was changed. And not just her life. She was so excited she ran into the town and told everyone she could about Jesus, prompting a crowd to come out to meet Him. Jesus stayed in their midst for 2 days and many more lives were changed. Sometimes I think that if Jesus walked this earth today He would be doing things that are a great departure from what we embrace as part of our comfortable Western Christianity. And then I am reminded, He does walk the earth today. He walks through those of us that have called Him Savior. We are His hands and feet in this world. So, what are we doing?
I ask that question as a challenge to myself as well. It’s one thing to type empty words on a page, but if I am not doing what I am challenging others to do, then how are things any better? I make myself a hypocrite unless I am willing to do something myself. If we are to be the salt of the earth, what have we flavored lately? If we are to be a light, in what dark places have we shone lately? I have heard people saying that we have enough need here in our own cities, so why bring in refugees? I agree that the needs here are great already. My question is what are you doing about it? What am I doing? If sitting in my comfortable home and enjoying my comfortable life is all I am willing to do, I have missed the point of being a follower of Christ. Knowing God comes not only from spending time with Him and in His Word, it also means doing what He has said to do. He already said to go out, to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, invite the stranger in, care for the sick, and visit those in prison. He said that if we do these things to others, we do these things to Him (Matthew 25:40). He gave us an example that we should follow in His steps.
I’m not saying we fling open the doors and take no precautions. I still believe there have to be appropriate checks and balances. I’m not suggesting we embrace terrorists who are bent on destroying our nation. What I am saying is that painting all those of a people group with the same brush is a mistake. The majority of people seeking refuge in this country are searching for a place to be safe. They want to have a place they can call home again. Where they can raise their children to know freedom. Where they do not need to fear death each day whether by militants or starvation or disease because of the conditions they live in. They want a place to love again. A place that they can go to sleep at night and rest knowing that their children are safe. If you can give a refugee the chance to have those freedoms, they will fight to keep them. People are saying that they are a risk to our country’s security. I say they are worth the risk. Instead of a threat, we need to see them as allies because the truth is that though there is a small percentage of refugees that may arrive on false pretenses, there is a greater number who will join hands with you and fight against the evil. These refugees have seen it first hand. They have lived it. They have fled from it. Give them a chance at freedom and they will fight to keep that freedom.
So yes, the threat is real, but the rewards are far greater. We were never called to be comfortable. We were called to share Christ’s love and compassion. Even if it is unpopular or uncomfortable and for some, even dangerous. As a follower of Christ, I am willing to put myself out there and advocate for the refugee. I say let them come. And if in the process we bring in an enemy, then we do what Romans 12:20 says – we feed him if he’s hungry and give him a drink, if he’s thirsty, because who knows? We might be the one individual that makes a lasting impact on their life. Every one of us can be the answer to someone else’s prayers. It’s time to stand up and go out and be an answer. Whose answer will you be?
“For You have been a shelter and a refuge for me, a strong tower against the adversary.”
Psalm 61:3 AMP
Of Shattered Things 