Coming from the conservative right-wing tradition, protesting and petitioning the government for social justice causes was never something I valued, let alone something in which I actually participated. But today I joined a group of several Christians in the first of 5 weeks to bring awareness to the Darfur, Sudan crisis to Washington power holders. The whole experience was very novus to me, but rather exciting! I am happy I stepped out and joined other Christians in prayer, song, liturgy, and agreement and plan to do this more often.
There were about 100 people, mostly younger adults and families with children, which was neat to see. A real sense of passion was evident as people sang, were involved in liturgical readings, and “amen”ed different speakers. It was so encouraging to see so many from the Body of Christ care enough about the gory mahem happening in Sudan to spend an hour and a half in 87 degree DC heat and humidity at the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.
Brian McLaren reminded us of the fitting location of this first worship gathering: it was the scene of the civil rights rally and memorial to Lincoln. Obviously, I do not need to go into great detail about the significance and comparision, but his description was a good reminder of the power of people and the voice to stop the ills that exist within the world.
The most moving moment was the testimony of a Sudanese nurse who grew-up in several wars. She recounted being a clothless and foodless child most of the time. She painted a picture of blood, death, rotting corpses, and skeleton strewn streets. She recounted several stories of fear and instability, constenstly running and hiding for her and her 5 childrens lives. But depite these horrifying experiences, she uttered these words: the Lord was good.
In the face of these very real dangers she knew and tasted Gods goodness and faithfulness. She prayed constantly for urgent things like safety, food, water, a place for refuge and she knew God would answer and provide, and He did; her Abba heard, answered, and provided. What a testimony, and how convicting…
At the end she read a passage from Exodus 15 that almost brought me to tears:
Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the LORD :
I will sing to the LORD,
for he is highly exalted.
The horse and its rider
he has hurled into the sea.The LORD is my strength and my song;
he has become my salvation.
He is my God, and I will praise him,
my father’s God, and I will exalt him.The LORD is a warrior;
the LORD is his name.Pharaoh’s chariots and his army
he has hurled into the sea.
The best of Pharaoh’s officers
are drowned in the Red Sea. [a]The deep waters have covered them;
they sank to the depths like a stone.“Your right hand, O LORD,
was majestic in power.
Your right hand, O LORD,
shattered the enemy.In the greatness of your majesty
you threw down those who opposed you.
You unleashed your burning anger;
it consumed them like stubble.“Who among the gods is like you, O LORD ?
Who is like you—
majestic in holiness,
awesome in glory,
working wonders?The LORD will reign for ever and ever.
I can’t wait until next week…
Be His,
