Thursday, January 24, 2013

Slaves to None But Christ


The greatest freedom we can ever have is to become a slave to the Perfect Master.

These were the words I repeatedly heard in a series of sermons our senior pastor delivered in the middle of last year. And I am completely blown away with this perfect paradox.

Indeed, for most of my life, I used to always crave for freedom, for independence—living and surviving on my own, for my own whims and caprices, by my own ways, in order to glorify myself. It was only about four years ago that I met the Lord Jesus Christ and by His grace, I realized that He is my freedom and that becoming a child of God is the most liberating experience one can experience!

Nonetheless, even now that I am walking under the authority and control of the Perfect Master, I still find my human tendencies entangling me in a web of slavery to selfish ambitions and worldly pursuits—to please people, to live up to the desires and expectations of many, and even to the mundane stuff, like to dress to impress.  

It takes a daily, moment-by-moment commitment to surrender to His Lordship in order to experience the perfect and most amazing freedom that only Jesus can give. And most often, it takes a beautiful exchange of perspective: looking away from myself and looking up to my Master.

And what does Christ show me when I look up to Him? He shows me the world; He shows me what’s around me—the people and places I have constantly overlooked when my focus is on myself.

Today, I look up to Him and He shows me modern-day slavery. He shows me the heart-wrenching reality that yes, even if it’s already 2013, slavery is on-going and is even rampant in different areas in the world, my country not exempted. He shows me that while I am comfortably seated in my office corner writing this entry, these realities are happening:  

1)      somewhere in a train station or bus lane in Europe, a young boy/girl is being sold to save a family from poverty;
2)      somewhere in a dark brothel room in Southeast Asia, a young woman is being forced to perform  paid sex;
3)      somewhere in a cargo van in Russia, a teenage girl’s dream of uplifting her family from poverty is shattered as she realizes that after paying her placement fee, the caregiving job promised by her recruitment man is actually a job in the sexual trade.

January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month and it is high time that we know all these. It is high time that we know Jesus’ heart for every boy/girl/man/woman trapped in sexual slavery. It is high time that we adopt His heart and His plan for them—to love and rescue them just as He continually loves and rescues us from our many sins.  

We are Christ’s ambassadors here in this world we live. We are His hands and feet. If you have been reading this post and are moved to help but feel inadequate or too little to make a difference, let us all together consider these simple action steps:

1.       Know.

We are not compelled to move if we are not passionate about our causes. We don’t become passionate if we don’t see the needs. We don’t see the needs if we do not know. Nehemiah hadto know about the situation in Jerusalem and this led him to pray and act.

To know more about the political and social situation of human trafficking in Southeast Asia and beyond, visit The Exodus Road.

2.      Pray.

Offer a prayer in faith, with faith. The Bible says that the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. We have been made righteous in Christ. Tap into this amazing power to make things happen. Remember, it is not us who make things happen; our perfect and sovereign God does.

Pray for the Lord to reveal to you what He wants to do through you.

3.      Act.

Prayer is communication. When we pray, we do not just tell God our petitions. We listen to Him and respond to what He says. Move as His Spirit leads. Is He telling you to pray for one soul trapped in sexual slavery or the investigators who risk lives and limbs to rescue them? Then, bring him/her to God on your knees, even if you do not know his/her name or face. Is He leading you to raise awareness through social media? Then open up your Facebook or Twitter and let the whole world know. Is He asking you to write about sexual slavery in your blogs? Then, respond to it.

Remember, where God leads, He always provides.


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There are countless ways to help. As we know, pray, and act, let’s watch the Lord do immeasurably more than we can ask for.

Personally, I am excited to see great things happen (actually, great things are alreadyhappening here) and I am prayerfully hoping that the less time I spend thinking of my self and the more time I spend doing His will, these boys/girls/men/women will soon become slaves to no one but Christ.

2 comments:

  1. Thanks for being passionate about this. Together, we'll change the world.

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    Replies
    1. You're welcome, Justin. all for His glory. It's a privilege to be part of the team. :)

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