Then there's Haiti. Earthquakes, hurricanes, disease, rapes, murders, kidnappings, staggering poverty, political coups, colonial exploitation, etc... and if all this wasn't bad enough, Baby Doc Duvalier, the sadistic tyrant who was overthrown in 1986, has returned to the country to help! Talk about kicking someone while they're down! It makes me wonder if Pat Robertson was right when he stated a year ago after the earthquake, that you had indeed cursed the country because it had made a pact with the devil.
Then there's the constant struggles, trials and tribulations of those of African descent living in Europe, North America, Central America, South America and the Carribbean. Similar issues as what's happening in Africa and Haiti... although at a lesser extent... but just as traumatic!
As a people are we cursed!? If we are, what did we do to deserve all this? If we're not, then what's the deal? Is this a Job type situation you're putting us through? Whatever the case... we've had enough! We need your grace and mercy!
After my "oops" moment when you had your initial chat with "Dad" 1/23/11 and I thought that the fact that I missed the point or didn't read the entry well was disturbing to say the least. It also occurred to me after much soul searching that I've lost touch with him as well. I truly believe in God, however, some of the interpretations of what we're here for in his/her (ambivalence at work here) name has always posed a dilemma for me. So many rewrites and scholarly debates by so many factions.
ReplyDeleteThe issues of our people on the continent and diaspora in this posting have kept me up at times and involved in long and heated debates with former colleagues, religious leaders and family members. As a baby boomer of African descent and a former human rights activist...I surely attest to observing a number of classrooms, kitchens and living rooms cleared because of religion/politics/race.
I have wondered if "Dad" has abandoned us or if this is part of a plan that as humans we cannot understand especially while we are in this reality. Can we ever or should we really know for sure?
In the late 60's when Jewish and black activists were organizing and working together; I had a conversation with a young woman who was in the Columbia University School of Social Work Graduate Program. She had the same lament about Jews. Why were they so despised and throughout the centuries have been persecuted and run out of just about every country on every continent on this planet. Why had God forsaken them? They were persecuted before the birth of Jesus...so she wasn't sure as some Christian friends had admonished, that that was the reason for the abandonment.
I, too, so desire some of his mercy and some relief for people of African descent and the suffering masses. But you know Asabagna, as you study the history of human beings...so many groups have had holocausts that vary and differ in nature and have felt forsaken and certainly oppressed.
Maybe if more of us had not only the Sunday chats but during the week as well with "Dad"...we might get an indicator of some type that there is hope for us.
There was a LCD Church Sign in my neighborhood that read: "Don't make me Come Down There". Hmmm...maybe this is a grace period for us---a last effort to see if we can get it together.
I love your chats and look forward to reading more of them.
When I think about this very thing, another thought comes saying we black folks aren't the only ones who have suffered....
ReplyDeleteI also think about how often Jesus said that the last shall be first, and the first last. Those who greedily got their just desserts on earth will not get any eternal riches, which Jesus says are the true riches. He said that earthly riches can become moth eaten and robbers and thieves can break in and steal them, but heavenly riches are eternal and no one can take them.
Suffering is a worthy subject to study. Ive been reading a book on brokeness and suffering, and it's enlightening. Most people would not think so.
I found a link that speaks of suffering and it's hidden blessings. http://www.factsandthoughts.com/suffering.html
If God is true, then suffering, though very hard, allows us a deeper fellowship with Jesus, if we go to Him in our time of pain.
I can't say that I understand it all, but I trust God for what I don't understand about suffering, which we black people have surely endured. So if God is true then He tells us to "rejoice and be exceedingly glad" because of suffering for His sake.
I know personally that I have grown in God for the bit of suffering that I have endured, and the cost of that pain was well worth it for the blessing of being that much closer to Him. The Peace is glorious, Asa!
Blessings
Throughout the years, both when I was and wasn't a Christian, I've had many "chats", discussions and debates with God, as well as with many others, on this topic. When I am asked: "why does God allow suffering to happen to...?", I find that my answers and explanations are inadequate... FOR ME! I have read, heard, studied, meditated, believed and repeated all the scriptures that deal with this matter...
ReplyDeleteI wonder though, how much comfort do these words offer the young girl in the Congo and Haiti, who is being gang raped, then contracts AIDS and has a baby with the disease also?
I wonder if the only survivor who has witnessed their whole family and village massacred because of their tribal or religious affiliation, understand that their "suffering" is to bring them closer to Christ?
I wonder if the young Black male, who is being constantly stopped by the police and harassed and dehumanized, "rejoices and is exceedingly glad"?
But then, there is an understanding and expectation that one will suffer for the sake of Christ, if you're a Christian and/or involved in HIS work... like Paul. However, this is not the case in the vast majority of these situations.
History does tell us "so many groups have had holocausts that vary and differ in nature and have felt forsaken and certainly oppressed." However as my Grandma used to say: "those who feels it, knows it". So, I don't compare or rank sufferings (not that any of you are doing this). I just find that it's irrelevant at the moment, especially to the one experiencing these turmoils or traumas. Even Jesus Christ, who was the architect of the plan for salvation, who was obedient even unto death, at the moment before His death, His human nature cried out "My God My God, why have you foresaken me!" (Notice he didn't cry out "My Father, My Father...")
In saying all this, I am truly amazed, that during news reports and documentaries that feature these horrific situations, those who are suffering most, "always"... and I do mean "always, instead of blaming or cursing God, they profess their faith in God and that God is the only one they are depending on to get them through!
This is what keeps my faith strong. This is the answer, from their own mouths, I find most compelling. More so than quoting scripture...
In response to: "In saying all this, I am truly amazed, that during news reports and documentaries that feature these horrific situations, those who are suffering most, "always"... and I do mean "always, instead of blaming or cursing God, they profess their faith in God and that God is the only one they are depending on to get them through!"
ReplyDeleteThis also brings to mind on a human to human level...small children who are getting whipped or traumatized by a parent or guardian. Many of them instead of fleeing or trying to get away...continue to cling and call on the name of the person inflicting the pain as they suffer and wail. As if somehow by remaining close...the pain and suffering will eventually connect to this individual and the agony will end. Hmmmmm....
Also, your point about comparing or ranking afflictions rings true. It can lead to a spiraling abyss to do so. Read an article some time ago by a civil rights activist that became estranged for a long time from a Jewish friend
over which group suffered the most. Those who were forced into the middle passage to a unspeakable hell that created the diaspora or those who were killed in the concentration camps. Your Grandmother's statement "those who feels it, knows it" rings true. Ah..the wisdom of the elders.
I can't truthfully say that "my faith is strong". I still continue to work on this but I must say that I do respect and I'm in awe of those who can say it and really mean it!