"Let Paris Go!"

Last night Paris, a city symbolic of love, cried out in heartbreak.

129 individuals were killed, 352 injured. These people are not just numbers. They are someone's children, someone's spouse, someone's friend.
Our first reaction might be to question, "Where is God in all of this?"
But we can call off the search party, because God has not left us.
He is still here, with you and me. He is still in Syria. He is still in Paris.

Do you remember when God's people were enslaved in Egypt? It seemed by all outward appearances that God had left them. But then He called Moses and commanded him to march before Pharaoh and his army and demand that they "Let My people go!"

Today we might not face Pharaoh and his army, but we do face the very same evil God's people have fought throughout all of history. 

The world can be a dangerous place, but the answer is not to cower from ISIS.

When we give into terror, we give into the very root of their cause.

As Christians, we are to take a stand.

"Be alert. Continue strong in the faith. Have courage and be strong."

-1 Corinthians 16:13

 

Courage has always been a necessary quality among the people of God. Standing for righteousness takes courage. Speaking the truth of the Gospel takes courage. Like Moses, you might be tempted to believe you don't have a voice, that what you say won't make a difference. But God declares otherwise:

"Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."- Joshua 1: 5, 9b

 

I changed my profile picture because it's a small way I can display this courage. A symbol that I back my neighbors, and that we will not let them be picked on without a fair fight. It's a symbol that I stand with Paris and a demand that ISIS "Let God's people go."

It may be weeks, it may be months, it may be years until this enemy is defeated. We might not even see the victory in our lifetime. But of this I have utmost confidence: there will be a day when the victory is won.
"Then comes the end, when He delivers the Kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power"- 1 Corinthians 15:24

An Open Letter

"Measuring sticks try to rank some people as big and some people as small, but we aren’t sizes. We are souls. There are no better people or worse people, there are only God-made souls. There is no point trying to size people up, no point trying to compare, because souls defy measuring."

-Ann Voskamp

To my little sisters in Christ,

You are beautiful. Each and everyone of you. After all, you bear the very image of God! Any shortcomings you may perceive in your body, personality, gifts, and abilities in comparison to others is an insult to our Creator.
You were created with intention; no flaws or imperfections.
"I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made"- Psalm 139:14

But just in case you don't struggle with low-self esteem enough on your own,
sometimes people will step in to help and do the comparing for you.
Sometimes they will make polls to vote for who they think is prettiest.
Sometimes this will happen even in Christian institutions.

And for that, I'm so sorry.
It breaks my heart that I can't shield you from the hatred and evil in this world.
I pray that you will use these moments as opportunities to witness. To display God's grace. To define true beauty. Because the only thing that can drive out this sort of hatred is love- God's perfect, radiant love. This is a unique opportunity you have been given: "to let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” -Matthew 5:16

 

Lastly, remember that comparison is a deadly weapon. It robs joy. It beats people down. Rather than uniting us, it often drives the church apart. Be ever cautious and slow to judge. "Do not consider his appearance or his height,  for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

-1 Samuel 16:7

your sister,
Kyla