Ignorance is bliss! Awareness brings responsibility!

Recently I made a decision to begin a free course of studies provided by the Voice of Martyrs (VOM). They are a Christian organization who draw attention to the martyrdom of Christians throughout the world. This topic has drawn my attention from time to time. I admit I avoided looking too closely at any data or listening to stories of Christian persecution. I knew the moment I began educating myself I would also become responsible for my knowledge. I also knew that I have not, to my knowledge, suffered so much as a breath of persecution as an American Christian. Viewing videos and learning the extent of persecution in other parts of the world drops the scales from my eyes. What I would look away from, avoid when presented with it, I now can see.

The suffering I have learned of in the short time since I began these courses is overwhelming. I remember going to the Grand Canyon as a teen-ager and looking at the vastness of the canyon. I remember looking down into the canyon as I stood behind the safety of a fence. With growing awe I realized that my mind did not have the ability to perceive the depth of this magnificent Grand Canyon. My vision saw the depth. My mind could not encompass what my eyes transmitted back to it. About half-way down is where my mind stopped and I found myself unable to relate to the reality of that great vastness. So it is with the reality of the persecution of Christians around the world. I read the words, watch and listen to the videos, absorb the statistics yet I cannot relate to the reality. Perhaps this is why I was drawn to pursue these courses from VOM. Perhaps it is time to study, listen, view, pray and understand the truth of persecution.

I anticipate to hold this pattern of distancing myself from the reality for awhile longer. After that my normal reaction is anger fueling a desire in me to conquer a reality I cannot begin to accept. Some time will pass and I will allow the truth of martydom and persecution to settle into my psyche. I will allow myself to identify with the truth and then I will ask God what He will have me to do as a response to my identification.

The pursuit of knowledge can be a dangerous business. It can alter our world in small and large ways. Once the scales fall from our eyes and we see what has been hidden we are responsible for that knowledge. May God help those suffering for His name's sake tonight!