the plan

It is easy to be overwhelmed with all that is wrong in the world. Violence, injustice, poverty, war. Children without parents, people who suffer with chronic illness, domestic abuse. Genocide. Corrupt governments. The list could go on...
Many wonder how a good God can allow these things to go on. Many wonder, “Does God even care? and if so, why do so many suffer?”

It is all difficult to comprehend and understand. Overwhelming.

But the Bible assures us that God does care. In many places it shows that his heart breaks for those who are oppressed and who suffer. The Psalms often speak of this. In Psalm 9, it says: “The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed...He DOES NOT IGNORE the cry of the afflicted.” And in Psalm 72 it tells us that “He will rescue the poor when they cry to him; he will help the oppressed who have no one to defend them. He feels pity for the weak and the needy, and he will rescue them. He will redeem them from oppression and violence, for their lives are PRECIOUS to him.”

Yet it is still hard to understand why all of these things continue. It is hard to see them happening firsthand, to read about them in the newspaper, to see images on TV, to have a conversation with someone in the midst of suffering.

I often wonder how to proceed. A story in John 6 came to mind; in which Jesus feeds five thousand people.

“After this, Jesus crossed over to the far side of the Sea of Galilee, also known as the Sea of Tiberias. A huge crowd kept following him wherever he went, because they saw his miraculous signs as he healed the sick. Then Jesus climbed a hill and sat down with his disciples around him. It was nearly time for the Jewish Passover celebration. Jesus soon saw a huge crowd of people coming to look for him. Turning to Philip, he asked, “Where can we buy bread to feed all these people?” He was testing Philip, for he already knew what he was going to do. Philip replied, “Even if we worked for months, we wouldn’t have enough money to feed them!” Then Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up. “There’s a young boy here with five barley loaves and two fish. But what good is that with this huge crowd?” “Tell everyone to sit down,” Jesus said. So they all sat down on the grassy slopes. The men alone numbered about 5,000. Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks to God, and distributed them to the people. Afterward he did the same with the fish. And they all ate as much as they wanted. After everyone was full, Jesus told his disciples, “Now gather the leftovers, so that nothing is wasted.” So they picked up the pieces and filled twelve baskets with scraps left by the people who had eaten from the five barley loaves.” (John 6:1-13).

Jesus asks me, “What do you have?”
(five barley loaves and two fish... I answer. But what good are these in this situation?!)
Jesus says that I don’t have to provide what is needed. I often cannot. He takes the little, insignificant amount of whatever I have, and HE PERFORMS THE MIRACLE. He tells me that if I would only offer what I have, He will do the rest. I don’t have to worry that I am not fit to feed five thousand people. I don’t have the ability to heal my friend who suffers in pain. I am not able to end the domestic violence in my neighbors home. I can’t take on all the orphans in Africa, or heal those dying of AIDS. Yet I CAN offer to Jesus what I have. I can visit the sick. I can refer my suffering neighbor to someone who can help. I can hold the hand of someone who is lonely. I can support those who care for people on the other side of the world, and those who care for the orphans in Africa. I can pray. And I can expect that Jesus will take what little I offer, and perform the miracle. He will do the rest.

When I am overwhelmed and wonder what the plan is to end this suffering and injustice and pain, I am reminded that I AM THE PLAN. Proverbs 31 says, “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.” In Matthew 23, Jesus calls justice, mercy, and faith the more important aspects of the law. Isaiah 1 says, “Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows.” Jesus asks Simon, one of his disciples three times, “Do you love me?” and three times Simon says, “yes, Lord, you know I love you.” “Feed my lambs- Take care of my sheep,” Jesus commands. (John 21).
So I think about the questions:

For what purpose was I redeemed?
What is it that I can offer?
What is He asking me to do?
What is He calling me to stand up for?