But as the media and our government is so fond of reminding us, the world is getting smaller and we are all soon to become "one world-wide community." Lord, help us, if these images become commonplace in our lives. So I invite you to gaze upon what the photographers across the globe have captured as representative of our modern existence.
Libyan rebels, who held out hope for weeks that the world
would come to their aid against Muammar Gaddafi.
The innocent and lifeless eyes of 9-year-old child brides.
Countries and international agreements have been unable
to stop this forbidden practice. It crosses continents, languages,
and religious boundaries.
Protesters in Cairo, Egypt's Tahrir Square.
The provocative photo of a bruised and gaunt drug addict
and sex worker in the Ukraine.
A photo of an arrest of protesters during a demonstration
against police tactics and income inequality in Harlem, New York City.
And the FIRST PLACE winner - a Yemenese woman holding
a wounded relative during protests against President Saleh.
I think we would all agree that these photos give amazing and astounding witness to the world in which we live. They are poignant; they show compassion, sadness, anger, fear and uncertainty. They capture, in living color, the issues of our day: the Arab Spring, Sex Trafficking, Women's Rights, and a growing unrest in our own country.
If these photos are correct, the world is spinning, faster and faster, towards chaos, war and despair.
But what can I, one woman, do to slow down the turmoil and lawlessness? True, I cannot effect change in the hearts of the despots of the world, or stop the hate that leads to violations against others that look, believe, or speak different than we do.
While it may seem insurmountable to stop the tide of Evil, we must not give up! There is Good in the world and it starts with us! I, for one, am choosing to reject these images as reflective of the world's nature. We are all made in the image of God and it His likeness I will strive to put on display.
And I want to leave you with one last image....of the good that one small woman can do in the midst of overwhelming hopelessness. Let her example be our inspiration.
"It is not how much we do, but how much love we put in the doing. It is not how much we give, but how much love we put in the giving." ---- Mother Teresa
John 13:34 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another."
Thank you. We need to be reminded of the GOOD, even while there is so much evil to be seen today. It is easy to become discouraged, even when we know that God is in control, and we know that His good will conquer evil in the end. Even in the darkness, His light, shining through us, can not be extinguished. We can each be one candle for others to see.
ReplyDeleteLinda, you said it concisely and correctly! Thank you for your wise observation.
ReplyDeleteThis quote was found written on the wall in Mother Teresa's home for children in Calcutta: "People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway. If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway. If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway. What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway. If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway. The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway. Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway. In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway."
ReplyDelete-this version is credited to Mother