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Helping the Opressed
God Nuggets, Issue 26
"Oh Oh the tears of the Oppressed. There is no one to comfort them." - Eccl 4:1
We don't spend much (if any) time thinking about one of the Bible's primary concerns: the welfare of the oppressed. We're far too busy being depressed  (even slightly) about our own problems: too much stress, not enough time, not enough money, love, or respect, difficult people, too much weight, too many wrinkles, etc. etc. And of course, American culture, both Christian and non, desperately attempts to focus our attention on anything but the plight of the oppressed - it's such a "downer."
You may ask, "Where are the oppressed today, particularly the women and children Jesus told us to care for?" Let's start with the millions of mothers and children (as well as orphans) languishing in burnt out villages or squalid refugee camps in war-torn hell holes in Afghanistan, the Sudan, and throughout Africa. And that doesn't count the millions more slowly starving or withering away from starvation or AIDS.
Stress? The poor and oppressed are stressed 24/7: wondering whether they or their children will live to see the sunrise. Their concern is not about shedding weight, but gaining it - by scratching desp erately for a few leaves or bark to eat. Their only wrinkles are from the grotesquely shriveled skin, symptomatic of starvation. Relationship problems - well, only if you consider watching your mother die from AIDS or war wounds, or your children slowly perishing from disease or hunger.
Not a pretty picture is it? And probably not something you wanted to read today either. But this is exactly the sort of radical wake-up call Jesus calls for! This is what the Christian Life or the "Enlightened Life" is all about - emerging from our self absorption long enough to wake up to the needs of others.
You may ask, "What can I do - it's all so overwhelming. These people all seem so far away?" The good news is that there are literally hundreds of organizations committed to serving as a bridge between your heart and the oppressed. As a way to help you share your compassion and resources (time, talent and money) God on the Net offers an extensive list of worthwhile charities. Simply go to go to our Recommended Service Organizations section.
by CV Doner, PhD
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