I hate the way things are!

I look at the horrible things going on in Syria and I'm angry the world is this way, even angry with God that things like this happen, that people cause each other suffering. It is at times hard to put together the two pictures of God I see in the world; One of a God who doesn't stop these things happening and one of a loving God .

The question of why God doesn't stop things like this is massively difficult. Others have expressed a frustration at this in the Bible (such as in the Old Testament Habakkuk 1:12-14). Christians, including me, get frustrated at God. 

But despite our frustration and the lack of a clear answer, I believe God understands and experiences the suffering that goes on. Through Jesus he suffered. Jesus experienced rejection, beatings, crucifixion....he suffered and as he did God his parent suffered with him. God has shown he understands through Jesus  and has through Jesus shown us how to live in a way that would eradicate suffering.

"Love your neighbour as you love yourself" (The Bible, Mark 12:31)

But people do not live as Jesus lived. In all walks of life we see people acting wrongly. We see that people have the freedom to act how they choose unless they are restrained by others. An example of someone intent on in-human behaviour who was unrestrained, was Hitler. He persecuted the Jews and led others to do the same. 

However what if all Germany had stood against and refused to follow Hitler? 

The words of German, Martin Niemoller give a poignant reminder of the potential consequences of turning a blind eye to the suffering of others.  

First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out - because I was not a communist;

Then they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out - because I was not a socialist;

Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out - because I was not a trade unionist;

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out - because I was not a Jew;

Then they came for me - and there was no one left to speak out for me.

We must stand up for the rights of others. We must speak out. We must show love to our neighbour as Jesus taught whatever the cost, because that is how the world will be changed for the better. We should be shouting at those who allow injustice. We should stir ourselves to act on behalf of those who are downtrodden and hurt. Because that will change things.

But that action will certainly have a cost. Time? Money? Effort? Our lives? Are you willing to accept that cost to yourself?