Gisting with my class this morning i asked two simple questions, 'What would you do if your neighbour is mistreating her househelp?' , 'What would you do if your boss hates & mistreats you for no valid reason? ' Two oppressive scenarios, plenty opinions.
Avengers is a popular cartoon (and now a movie) featuring Super-heroes who made up their minds to in defence of the weak & defenceless in the world. Relating it to Christiandom, i see us a superhumans (having the HolySpirit & power), empowered to promote change & justice around us
One day whilst leaving our family friend, Ezebuiro's house for a vigil at about 10pm, i heard a girl crying & complaining, '...since, you didn't allow me go where am going, since you kept me here...'. I got curious especially when i heard church (my church was a stone throw away). i drew close, recognising her face as a random member in the church, i asked who she was, where she was going & if she's our member.
As soon she confirmed in affirmative, i grabbed her hand and attempted to take her with me; Suddenly the area-man who had detained her for over 2hours, in the guise of toasting (wooing) her grabbed her other hand challenging me, 'Wetin be your business ehn? You no see say i dey talk to her... '. She's my sister i responded in anger...it was an endless battle of words i determined not to lose even if i get a slap or beating inbetween.
Apparently he had kept her against her will for over 2hours (now 10pm since 8pm) and my guess was he would have raped her if nothing had happened or no one interfered eventually. The girl being too timid to even cry out for help, till i interfered and succeeded in attracting attention of church folk around & rescuing the situation. I think i would have done same even i didn't know her.
I believe God would want us to be an Avenger of sorts; to respond with mercy to the injustices of the oppressed.
"Let Judgement run down as waters and righteousness as a mighty stream"
God's people are expected to stand for justice. Many churches today focus on winning souls to the exclusion of helping people. Others focus all their attention on social problems. Neither approach is correct. God cares for both bodies & souls. Recognising this fact, believers have launched programs like the Economic Empowerment Summit (being held this January in Assemblies of God Church, Victory Centre) and gotten involved as individuals to address many of the social evils faced today. Just as God cares about justice and mercy, so his people must care. http://www.facebook.com/VictoryCentreSurulere?ref=hl#!/photo.php?fbid=146195715536433&set=a.146166762205995.31918.109727549183250&type=1&theater
Dear friends, i pray God grants you wisdom , humility, love, grace & passion to do what is right in the face of injustice bringing glory to God. Become an avenger, God is.
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