I’ve
never been a huge fan of cats. Cats tear things up. Cats don’t come when they
are called. Cats sit on the book you are trying to read. They jump on your
keyboard just before you save the document. Cats dive out from under the bed
and tear your ankles to bloody shreds. They look at you like you are the pet. And cats are killers. Actually that last
part I kind of like. We had a great outdoor cat once named Boots. He was a
tough old tomcat that kept the mice away.
On
a sunny afternoon I looked out the window and saw time stand still. Boots the
cat was snoozing in the sun close to the front door. Creeping slowly towards
the killer cat was the cutest, and stupidest, chipmunk. This rodent’s days were
seriously coming to a close. Every step brought it closer to death. Did it
think the cat was perhaps dead? Was it on some kind of chipmunk dare from the
other little chippers? One of those “I dare you to creep close and pull the
killer lion’s whiskers!”
What
should I do? If I bang on the window the cat will awaken and the chipper is a
sure goner. If I do nothing the chipper might see the foolishness of his
actions and dive into a hole somewhere. I didn’t bang on the window but the
silly rodent didn’t turn away either. Chipper came within a few inches before
the killer awoke. Death was quick and not very pretty.
While
I couldn’t help the chipmunk, I can help people. And so can you. Evil prowls
around the world devouring the least of these, orphans, girls, women… Human
trafficking is a wicked roaring lion. What happened to a chipmunk isn't
far off of what happens in human trafficking. I Peter 5:8-9 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary
the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist
him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being
experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.
According
to TrafficJam.org, over thirty million people are enslaved today. That's more
than during all four centuries of the trans-Atlantic slave trade. More than any
point in history, in fact. Human trafficking is the fastest growing criminal industry
and is predicted to soon overtake drug trafficking. Over fifteen million
children are enslaved today. Childhoods are stolen as kids are forced to be
prostitutes, sex slaves, child soldiers and laborers, among many other
degradations and exploitations.
We
need to open our eyes, pray, have compassion, take action.
Anchored
in Grace,
Harrison
Two
resources I am familiar with:
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