17/04/2022
I was reading an Easter article and came across the question, How can we worship a God who was abused if we are unwilling to reach out to the abused among us?
This weekend is special to many across the globe, especially Christians. Church services will be full to capacity in commemoration of the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amongst the many worshippers, there will be survivors of sexual abuse that happened within the church. People who cried out the names of respected leaders/members of the church that abused them but what did they meet? They’re met with disbelief from church members, family members, and friends! They were called liars and other shameful names by the same people sitting in the congregation. We then forget and later begin to ask, why did she not speak out? Why did she not leave? Who did she tell? As these people think on the suffering of Jesus, they may be reminded of their own sufferings by in the house of God.
The church is very influential especially in our African communities. Church leaders are worshipped more than the God of the church. How can the church not intervene? Abused folks including children, will be looking out for churches that will raise their voices out for them. The church cannot continue to fall short of the mark in protecting victims of abuse. Do what Jesus would do. He was seen in the company of sexually exploited women, helping and pointing them to the Kingdom of God.
Happy Sabbath!
