Why aren't you running for the hills from ISIS?

Have you ever seen Hotel Rwanda?  It is a historical drama about the 1994 Rwandan genocide. The events in the movie are based on the true story of Paul Rusesabagina. If you've never seen it, watch the trailer before you continue reading my post...  Even if you have seen it, watch the trailer and refresh your memory...

It is tragic, isn't it? Over 800,000 were killed during the Rwandan genocide, and did anyone step in to stop the deliberate and systematic destruction of the Tutsis?  No. The world powers turned their backs on these people, and the United Nations was unwilling to get too involved. 

I'm currently conducting a film study of Hotel Rwanda with my sophomores. The movie connected with the book we just finished reading, Things Fall Apart, via the subject of colonialism and its effects.   

But more important than that exploration, the movie raises other moral and ethical questions that beg for answers:

Should a country ever get involved in another country's affairs?  And if so, when and why?

My students will have to formulate their own opinions on this matter; however, after watching Hotel Rwanda, I'm not sure that anyone - in good conscience - could say that a country should NEVER get involved in another country's affairs.  If that involvement will prevent the loss of innocent lives then I believe those in a position to help the helpless have a moral obligation to step in and proffer assistance.  If a country can help but chooses not to offer aid, that country is no different than rebels committing atrocities against their fellow human beings. 

Watch Hotel Rwanda, and then, come and tell me why you would think otherwise. 

This is a subject that is very heavy on my heart right now.  I am a Christian, and I've been hearing that my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ have been experiencing something akin to the Rwandan genocide in Northern Iraq.  Since the beginning of August, a group called ISIS has been sweeping through the northern cities of this country and wiping out Christians - targeting especially the Christian children.

And what has my country done in response to this? Not enough.  ISIS is still going strong. 

Here is an urgent prayer request received Wednesday:

Subject: Prayer Request from Iraq.

This message was sent from some friends at church who are former Baptist missionaries. They received this from their contacts in Iraq. They need our prayers now!!!

From: Jim & Linda Rice
Date: 09/03/14 20:46:40
Subject: Prayer Request from Iraq

Dear Friends,

Just a few minutes ago I received the following text message on my phone from Sean Malone who leads Crisis Relief International (CRI). We then spoke briefly on the phone and I assured him that we would share this urgent prayer need with all of our contacts.

"We lost the city of Queragosh (Qaraqosh). It fell to ISIS and they are beheading children systematically. This is the city we have been smuggling food to. ISIS has pushed back Peshmerga (Kurdish forces) and is within 10 minutes of where our CRI team is working. Thousands more fled into the city of Erbil last night. The UN evacuated its staff in Erbil. Our team is unmoved and will stay. Prayer cover needed!"

Please pray sincerely for the deliverance of the people of Northern Iraq from the terrible advancement of ISIS and its extreme Islamic goals for mass conversion or death for Christians across this region.

Please pray! If we ask, we shall receive.  Let's join in prayer that God uses His power to protect His people as a testimony to His sovereignty - like He did with His people when Moses parted the red Sea!

And then, take a minute to ask yourself these questions:

Why aren't I running to the hills from ISIS? Why was I born in a country where living as a Christian is living a life without fear of death because of my faith?  Why is it that I don't have to worry about watching my children be a part of a massacre?

What all would God have me do during this current crisis?

I don't have the answers to these questions, but lately, they run constantly through my head and my heart. 

Today's forget-me-not:  Our persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ.

Revelation 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus and for the word of God, and which had not worshiped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.