They are tortured souls, in search of rest. Survivors of cruel conflict, they continue their struggle to stay alive in foreign lands. Their lives were abruptly changed, and now they will never be the same.
For years, maybe even the rest of their life, they will be labeled by the world: refugees.
Most of us have heard about the Middle Eastern refugee crisis. In 2014, while ISIS was shocking the world with bold beheadings and swift victories, the waves of refugees that resulted from the conflict were almost a side note. Still, I remember seeing pictures of refugees in the news, and being struck by the anguish and terror etched on their faces.
In a world full of problems, the plight of Middle Eastern refugees seemed like just one more terrible tragedy to add to the rest. There was nothing I could "do" about it, so life went on.
The tragedies that occur in the world and the enormity of the pain that exists can numb the mind. So we simply push it aside and move on with life.
Looking back, it wasn't that I didn't care about Syrian refugees. But to be honest, their issues were literally on the other side of the world, and they didn't affect my daily life.
Through our missions trip to Lebanon, my vague and distant knowledge of Syrian refugees was brought into stark reality. Suddenly, the people who had once been a glassy sea of faces became real, living, individual stories of grief and perseverance.
As I met these people face to face and spent four weeks with them, I pondered the difference between my situation and theirs.
I've never wondered if I will have comfortable shelter, clothing, food, or a good education. More importantly, I know where my soul can find eternal rest; because I've been taught the truth my whole life. I've never know a life where I wasn't surrounded by churches, sermons, hymns, and Bibles. Over and over again, the truth has been poured into my mind, and God completed the work by establishing His Word deep within my heart.
My life has been filled with abundant blessings. But our trip to Lebanon jolted me into the realization that I've lived in a small, secure world my whole life.
I've written about the ministry we were involved in. Scenes flash through my mind: pregnant women with weary faces, joyful kids singing Bible songs in Arabic, sick and injured people, meeting with faithful Lebanese believers, eating unbelievable amounts of food provided by incredibly poor families, and feeling the heavy weight of thousands who are living hard lives and lost in darkness.
But as I close this series on our trip, I am left with the thought: Why me, and not them?
Why am I accustomed to a life of comfort while they struggle to stay alive? Why was I shown the Light at such a young age, while others will spend their whole lives in search of the Truth? Why was I born in the United States, in a land of freedom, into a Christian family that is wholly dedicated to serving Jesus Christ?
I will never know the answers on this side of glory. All I know is that to have received such a generous portion in this life, and not do anything about it, is a sin.
"From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded;
and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked."
- Luke 12:48b
If you're like me, you've been given much. Too often, we can be blind to blessings and forget what we have until God reminds us of our wealth.
So I leave you with the challenge: What things is God asking of you? Are you serving Him willingly in light of all that He has given you?
And as we ponder these questions, He will show us the way.
Now, When You Think "Refugee":
Pray that the millions of Syrian refugees who are living without hope will turn to Jesus Christ.
Pray for those who have decided to follow Jesus. They experience pressure and ridicule from many, even their close family members. Already outcasts and strangers in a new land, they take a step further into the cold of alienation through their commitment to Christ.
Pray that they will cling to Jesus, no matter what comes.