a world of difference over the ocean

It’s strange to think of how things are different across the ocean.

On a map, you’ll see a bunch of squiggly lines and colour-coded blobs that signify the countries in which we live.

Seeing pictures, you’ll find deserts. You’ll find war, you’ll find tall buildings and stone statues.

People. You see black people, you see white people. People who are smiling and people who are crying.

Words. For some a normal vocabulary is to say how things are cool and awesome and amazing.  Other people, “Guilty,” or “Innocent” are words commonly heard and spoken. “Run for your life.” “I’m sorry. Nothing could be done.” “I regret it.” “I’m sorry.” “Forgive me.”

When you talk to a person, they know from a perspective you may not have seen.

Things aren’t the same. Circumstances are different. Living where I live, forgetting to bring a lunchbox to school is a tragedy. Six hours without food? How will we survive? Cross to the other side of the world and you’ll see people the same age as me… walking thousands of times to drink dirty water and starving desperately, wondering if miracles are even real.

Boarding a boat, a last chance at freedom. Fleeing the place where you will face certain death. Arriving at the destination, only to find that you’re not allowed in. Because the country leader says they don’t want you. That this place isn’t where you belong. There is no-where else to go. If people were to speak out, things could change. This would change.

If we spoke out, people would live in hope.

Our prime minister speaks, it seems that’s the final verdict.

But it’s not right, because that is how dreams die; no chance to lift up and fly.

We’re called to live a life of love. Just as Jesus did. Just as Jesus does.

Change. The world can’t keep spinning in these same circles.

Dear World,

We’re people whom God created. He loves you and He loves me.

We live in different places, we speak different languages and we think different.

But we’re called to love each other. I once heard someplace that love is the universal language.

Put everything else aside. Think of Jesus, God’s son. Remember that as He walked on this same ground as we stand today… that He didn’t keep people away. Some said, “Take those children away from him.” But Jesus looked at them and said, “Let the little children come to me.”

Close your eyes. Picture yourself, fleeing from a war-ridden country. People who care nothing for your survival. Yes, I know, I barely understand. But I’m trying.

On a boat. Desperately praying for a chance, an opportunity. Landing in a country – Australia. You don’t care where you are, long as you are safe. But the news comes. You’ve been found, and they’re sending you away. Because they don’t want you here. You can’t stay. “Go someplace, someplace different.”

They don’t care for your desperate plea, your dying family. It doesn’t matter – only that their own place remains the same.

It doesn’t have to be the same old, same old, forever and ever. We don’t have to be afraid and hide and just stand watching from the outside, our own places of security.

God made this place. He gave us our hearts, and the desire for a spirit of unity.

So can’t we change things?

Is God calling us?

His people, His world?

To love one another?

To accept one another?

“Strength is for service, not status. Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, "How can I help?"

That's exactly what Jesus did. He didn't make it easy for himself by avoiding people's troubles, but waded right in and helped out...

 May our dependably steady and warmly personal God develop maturity in you so that you get along with each other as well as Jesus gets along with us all. Then we'll be a choir—not our voices only, but our very lives singing in harmony in a stunning anthem to the God and Father of our Master Jesus!” Romans 15:2-6 [The Message]