Reach the unreachable.

"If slaves should escape from their masters and take refuge with you, you must not hand them over to their masters."
                                        Deuteronomy 23:15 (NLT)

In the last few days, it would be impossible to not have noticed that the world is in a stage of uproar. We had a major terror attack in Paris just a few days ago, and thousands of refugees from Syria have been roaming all around Europe hoping to find a new home somewhere. There has been a lot of fear that terrorists might try to hide among the refugees and sneak into the US undetected this way, and this is a very valid fear! However, I don't think it really matters if we accept refugees or not, because terrorists are always going to find a way to incite terror. 

Truth is, we better just wake up and realize that this is our reality today. ISIS exists, Wars exist, Refugees exist... It's a never ending thing. The media is powerful, because even though a lot people live their daily lives with the reality of war and terror, unless the media comes along and shines a light on it, they are largely forgotten about. What we have to understand is that this is more common than we have been led to believe. It's reality! It's only when it happens in a place like Paris, or NY that it gets the amount of attention that seems to spur any kind of notable action or reaction. It's not important to us unless it actually hits "close to home." I am not trying to say that what happened in Paris wasn't horrific, because it was, I just wish that it didn't take what happened in Paris to make people realize that the World truly isn't safe..for anyone! 

It makes me very sad that so many people and countries are wanting to turn away refugees based upon the potential that a terrorist might lurk among them! So, you're going to let 100 people suffer because of maybe 1 bad person? It makes me sad to think about all those children who are left literally out in the cold. To me, this fight is not so much about religion, as it is about fanaticism. Even Christians, who become fanatic about Christianity, have the potential for violence. The religions don't make the terrorist.. the person makes the choice to become a terrorist, and uses whatever religion he wants to to justify his actions. 

It is true that some people grow up not knowing any better! What if, in the course of someone from for example Syria, comes to the US with the initial intent to commit a terrorist act, but then in the process of meeting people gets introduced to Jesus. Now, you might say that a fanatic Muslim would NEVER consider Jesus, but isn't God greater than that? I refuse to believe that God is unable to reach even those in the darkest of places. Are we going to be able to reach and effect change with each one? Probably not, but I would like to at least see that the opportunities aren't lost! What if a family from Syria comes to live in your neighborhood, and you get the opportunity to just be a good neighbor, and just live the Love of Christ through your actions and then they come to know Christ through knowing you, and then they start to tell other refugees about Christ. What if? 

Also, let me be clear.. I am by no means of the opinion that we should just open our borders wide and let all the refugees in, no questions asked.. There has to be safeguards in place, some type of vetting procedure.. I am not knowledgeable enough about how it's done to be able to say HOW that process should take place, except to say that it's needed. I do know that it is important to be in prayer for the leaders of our nation, as they try to make those decisions, and also for those refugees as they try to find a new place to call home.. wherever that might be.