27 million. MILLION.
Two weeks ago- I’m scrolling through Instagram like so many
times before, and come across a video of John Luke Robertson and Mary Kate’s
wedding trailer. So of course I pause and wait for it to play. As I watch, I
tuck my legs underneath me in the recliner while I smile. The day looked like
it was absolutely beautiful and perfect in every way. It made me stop and pray
for a minute, “Lord, this is what you
bless us with whenever we surrender to Your will and lay our desires and hearts
at Your feet. You bless us with beautiful days and spouses that have the desire
to seek You so the two of us can bring You glory.” But then I kept scrolling
and the very next post that comes into sight on my screen is one posted by the
End It Movement. The End It Movement is a Christian organization that brings
awareness and fights modern day slavery. So after my heart was so encouraged by
this couple that were walking and seeking God together, I began to watch this
video that shows little children working in horrible conditions and girls being
rescued from being sex slaves. My instinct-to go back and re-watch the wedding
trailer and push away the unsettling truth out of mind, but then it hit me.
Lord, when are we
going to wake up? When am I going to wake up and realize that this is REALITY? Human
trafficking and slavery is real; it’s more present than ever and it’s time to
end it. Let’s end it so those girls who are trapped can have freedom and have that
beautiful wedding day that we all have dreamed for. As this thought process began
to take place, I began to pray again,
“Lord, wake me up.
Break my heart over this.”
And what do you think took place for the next twenty
minutes? My heart began to absolutely break. I thought about those girls who
are in slavery this very moment, who are being violated in every way and literally
wake up day after day to the same horror. They think that that is all they will
see in their life. They think they have no hope. They are tucked away in
darkness and they can’t speak up. But this is what I know- I serve the One True
King who has already stripped darkness and evil of all it’s authority. The
darkness that these people are living in is no match for the light that shines
in each one of us- the light that shines whenever we speak up and pray for
these girls to be protected in a way that only Jesus can protect.
I don’t think I will ever forget talking with my mom that
night. As she walked in the door and set down all of her things, I began to share
with her what I saw and how God was leading my heart. She was fiddling around
with something on the kitchen table whenever I began to explain to her, “My
heart is just breaking. Like I want to go there myself and hug those girls and
tell them about Jesus. I want to look at those around me and say when are we
going to wake up!” My voice raised and even I was surprised at the passion and
burden that had leaked into my voice from my heart I continued, “When are we
going to start praying for these people. The need prayers. They need hope. What
if all of these stuggles and battles these past months been because God is
preparing me to go in those places and rescuing them? I know He will shield me
and give me the courage to go into those places, but those places need God’s
light and redemption. They need His truth and I know what’s going on in those
places can’t stand against God’s love and truth.” Oh, my heart was burning with
passion and burden. All I could do was let God lead my heart in prayer.
Lord, You know exactly
where that darkness is taking place. Father, I pray Your light and love would
shine so brightly wherever each and every person is right now. Father, let them
know how much You love them and the hope that is in You, Jesus. Give us the
resources and wisdom, Lord, and let us allow You to lead us in boldness and
courage. Father, keep breaking my heart and leading my in Your will. I want to
be Your hands and feet. I just lift every girl up to You in this moment. Shield
and protect them in a way only You can. I love You, Lord. Thank you for your
hope and grace. I know You are right here with me.
So what can we do? What can you do? Allow God to let the
reality become real to you. Allow Him to break Your heart for those who are
enslaved. And pray. Pray big. There is so much power in prayer and the devil
can not stand against the power and love of Jesus Christ. Pray that we would
have the wisdom and resources to go rescue this people and tell them about
Jesus Christ and see them heal in glorious ways. And RAISE your voice. It’s
time to not be silent. Ending it starts with awareness. These cruel people
can’t stand in their evil acts whenever we begin to shine a light on them. The
darkness has to flee.
So will you join me? Will you join me in allowing God to
break your heart and lead you in boldness and faith to stand up for the way in
which he called us all to live? In freedom. In righteousness. In love. In
purity. In light.
There are 27 million who need you to use your voice because
theirs have become silent. It’s time to end this and it can only be done in
Jesus Christ.
Even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.
Psalm 139:12
When you were dead in your sins and in the
uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all
our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness,
which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to
the cross. And having
disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them,
triumphing over them by the cross.
2 Corinthians 2:13-15
1 Timothy 1:7
