I just recently finished Catherine Claire Larson’s book, As We Forgive, and I was simply blown away by these stories of healing, redemption, and hope. The horror of the reality that so many faced in 1994 in Rwanda is something I cannot begin to understand as I write this from my comfortable church office, in my comfortable American little city. I cannot fathom what it is like to walk through your village and see the very faces that slaughtered your family and loved ones. What is happening in Rwanda is proof of God’s grace and healing power.

And yet at the same time, I know that many would argue that a loving God would not have allowed any of this to happen in the first place. The problem is, God’s answer to the pain and evil in the world is his church, his people. We as the church are supposed to step up and be the hands and feet of Christ in the world. We are supposed to shine God’s light into the darkness that lurks across the globe. There is an incredible story that Shane Claiborne shares in his book, Irresistible Revolution: “I remember hearing about an old comic strip back in the days of St. Ed’s. Two guys are talking to each other, and one of them says he has a question  for God. He wants to ask why God allows all of this poverty and war and suffering to exist in the world. And his friend says, ‘Well, why don’t you ask?’ The fellow shakes his head and says his is scared. When his friend asks why, he mutters, ‘I’m scared God will ask me the same question.’”

It is a bit scary to think that God has chosen us to be the answer to the pain, suffering and evil that is going on in the world. But as I continue to read stories of healing and forgiveness taking place in Rwanda, I can’t help but believe that we are more than capable with God’s help and guidance. I encourage you to pick up a copy of As We Forgive, or rent the documentary to get and insight into the miraculous healing power of Christ’s love and forgiveness. May we all be challenged and in a sense empowered by the lives of our brothers and sisters in Rwanda to deal with those that surround us with the same spirit of love, forgiveness and acceptance.

Mike Warneke ~ October 5, 2009

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