Helpless

I'm the kind of person that Director's make movies for. Once a movie starts, I am taken captive for the duration of the film as I am surrounded by the characters, plot, scenery, language. I sympathize with it's characters and feel deeply what they are going through. The movie becomes personal to me as I take on the different roles myself. When the movie is over, I find it hard to come back to my reality. The feelings lingers; sometimes for minutes, sometimes for days, sometimes for years. For this reason, I am careful to what movies I watch. I simply do not watch some, some I watch with my hands covering my eyes or ears, some I regret watching, and then there are the movies that I know will be extremely hard to watch but I must, for they are the kind that God uses to mold me. The latter is where I start my story.

JC and I watched Swing Kids last night. I had seen it before, many, many years ago, and knew that it would be difficult. But, we wanted to watch the swing dancing in it, so in it went last night after Charis was put to bed. For those of you who have not seen it, the story takes place in Germany during the time of the Nazis. “Swing kids” resisted Hitler and the Third Reich. They wore their hair long, wore British clothes, and listened to American Swing music. This particular story is about three German boys and their struggle to choose between Swing and the freedom it stood for and the Nazi's persuasive propaganda.

This movie is by no means gut-wrenching to the degree of Schindler's List or Hotel Rwanda, but for me, it speaks. After the movie was over, I just sat there thinking. My poor husband has to deal with the after-math when I watch movies that make me think and feel. The most interesting was when, half-way through the movie, I started shouting expletives at the television, but I digress. So many emotions were pouring through me and my thoughts. JC and I talked through them and then I tried to stop thinking. But, they kept circling for about an hour after I had gone to bed. And in my dreams. And when I woke up. So...all that to say, here are these thoughts:

This will happen to us, as Christians. Jesus promises us suffering and hardship. And although I would love to believe that Jesus will come and Rapture me before any of this happens, I find that hard to believe. Reading story after story, He doesn't seem to be as wrapped up in my comfort as I am. He's much more into His glory and molding me through trials. So, although I don't know if it will happen in my time, it may and this scares me. I know it shouldn't. So I try not to dwell on this, knowing that God is in control and that He will guide and sustain me as long as He desires to have me on this earth. So with that, I am content. And I move onto what is really bothering me.

This is happening now! All over the world, millions of people are being unjustly treated, beaten, and killed. Some are because they are of a minority people group, and others are because they are Believers, but it is all unjust! And it is happening, all over, and I don't know what to do. I was thinking specifically about Darfur and the tragedy that is happening over there. And we know about it. What can I do? My first thought was to fly to Darfur and start throwing punches like the youth in this movie. I'm pretty sure I would be killed before one punch would actually land. Realistically, I'm not one of them. I can't stand up against their government, like the youths in this movie did. So that's a no. I know I can pray and I do believe that is the most important thing. But beyond that...what? I hear of organizations that help, therefore we give money. But does that really do anything? I mean, I live in my comfortable condo, in comfortable South Florida, in comfortable America, where I have comfortable freedoms, and I can give a comfortable amount of money. What if I gave a lot? What if I actually gave so that I wasn't comfortable anymore...would that really make any difference? Is there anything a 28 year old mom can actually do beyond just giving money?

I feel so helpless.

Posted by: Rhoda

Comments

[Brad]

Good thoughts Rhoda. Thanks...

[John Thompson]

I'm tired of just thoughts too Rhoda. I feel like a cowardly man posting, not out of self-pity, but out of reservation to act. Vanessa left some of these verses on my fridge not too long ago... feeling a little old school today so I'm gonna post in NKJV

Phillipians 1:3-6 NKJV

3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, 5 for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;

James 1:5-7 NKJV

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

Psalm 111:10 NKJV

10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;
A good understanding have all those who do His commandments.
His praise endures forever.

Not sure if that helps. I feel like a hypocrite because I have not done these things either. BUT I desire too.

[Vanessa]

So, all you pansies can come with me...I told you Africa awaits! :)

...joking of course...a good read to shed some light on this is "Serving as Senders" by Neal Pirolo. King David had men guarding lentils who were just as important as those on the front line of bibical battles (2 Samuel 23:8-39)

But, selfishly, I pray this is God stirring the back porch to take an overseas addy and join forces with me and my rogue crue of single females at Book of Hope! :)

[John Thompson]

Well it looks like I'll need to take up bank robbing to get the money to join with you and your rogue crue of single females, because God is obviously not moving fast enough for me... I'm kidding... I think.