I remember it like it was yesterday; a memory seared in my mind. I sat drinking my coffee and I couldn’t believe I had the privilege of following this woman who sat in front of me. Someone who had risked it all to obey Jesus.
Months earlier….
I quit my awesome job as a teacher and coach to go overseas with a Christian, human rights organization called International Justice Mission to fight against human trafficking. For over a year, God had been speaking to me though His Word about His desire for justice in the world:
“learn to do good;
seek justice,
correct oppression;
bring justice to the fatherless,
plead the widow’s cause.” (Isaiah 1:17)
I had no idea what I was getting myself into. This became immensely apparent when I was at training before my deployment. All of the sudden it hit me: If we seek justice and correct oppression, that strongly implies someone else is causing injustice and causing oppression. This further implies that for people seeking justice they will inevitably meet opposition from the ones causing injustice.
Now that was a whole new outlook on obeying God’s command to help the vulnerable. No one is upset by people building wells, feeding the hungry, etc. But to correct oppression to is confront the enemy of the oppressed. Danger level: medium to high; Commitment level: all in; Requirements: ready to leave home and family wherever the mission takes you.
It sounds extreme, but it sounds a lot like Jesus! He calls His followers to die to self (Luke 9:23; 17:33). He’s sending them out like sheep in the midst of wolves (Matthew 10:16). He says following Him will be inconvenient and uncomfortable (Luke 9:57-62). He says we must be ready to leave friends, family, lands, etc. (Mark 10:29-30). He even says it will be dangerous and we will experience rejection (Luke 21:12-19).
These words from Jesus’ own lips are not for the “extra credit” Christian. This is normal Christianity. God is looking for men and women sold out for Him and His mission. His eyes scan the earth looking for them (II Chronicles 16:9).
After being overseas several months, this started to sink in as I sat in a coffee shop across the table from the woman who led our unit. There are plenty of stories of miraculous rescues, victorious court rulings, incredible healing, and more, but there is also a price. She followed Jesus, left family, and her work has contributed to the protection of thousands of women and children. But again, it wasn’t without cost and hers had been heavy.
I’m happy to say she is alive and well. But in July 2016, an IJM lawyer and two others were murdered because of this work for justice. The price for them was their lives.
I was back state-side when that story broke out. I remember where I was, who I was with, and what I was doing. Time stood still. I always knew that it was never matter of if this type of thing would happen, but when.
Why do I tell you all this? Two things:
One: After returning home, I asked God, “What can I do here? How can I help?” I believe Proverbs 31:8-9 was God’s answer:
Open your mouth for the mute,
for the rights of all who are destitute.
Open your mouth, judge righteously,
defend the rights of the poor and needy.
Therefore, as long as I have breath in my lungs, I will open my mouth for the vulnerable. I will share with anyone about the necessary work of justice and how we as the Body of Christ must be involved. I will share my story and how I saw the hand of God move on behalf of the earnest prayers of His people who were truly “fasting.” God says this in Isaiah 58:6-8
“Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh? Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.
Two: Being part of the work for justice overseas solidified and convinced me discipleship truly is the way to reach the world. This was because while I was overseas I witnessed the world shrinking. Though the internet can be used for good, it can also be used for evil. One of these evils is online child exploitation. The work of justice overseas was rescuing the victims, and prosecuting the perpetrators, but the “buyers” of the content were from Western nations, like the U.S. In other words, the demand was created in my home country. I was devastated.
But it renewed in me a conviction. If we were committed to discipleship, we would be involved in the lives of people. People wouldn’t be able to go home and sit in anonymity behind a computer screen. By its very nature, discipleship helps others align their lives with Jesus. Remember Jesus’ expectations above?
We must be committed to the mission of the Kingdom of God and we must follow Jesus’ example: discipleship. A transformed life can have a global impact. And if we train other women to also make disciples, the impact will be generational.
So let’s stay focused: the world and the next generation is at stake.
One final thing. If you want to know more about the work of justice, specifically about the work against online child exploitation, watch the video by IJM called “I Am Brave” about Joy’s incredible story!
By the River Together 