equally skilled.

Mae Sot is a shady place.

There are countless stories and figures; there are plenty of things that we see day in and day out.

Today the topic was human trafficking.

We discussed the high prevalence of trafficking Burmese, how they often come through Mae Sot into other southeast Asian countries. And they are put on a ship in a container. 

And to go where?

California.

My country. They arrive in a container, to my country, for prostitution.

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I thought of Jon Foreman’s Equally Skilled:

How miserable I am
I feel like a fruit-picker 
Who arrived here
After the harvest
There’s nothing here at all
Nothing at all here 
That could placate my hunger
The godly people are all gone
There’s not one honest soul left alive
Here on the planet
We’re all murderers and thieves
Setting traps here 
For even our brothers

And both of our hands 
Are equally skilled
At doing evil, equally skilled
At bribing the judges 
Equally skilled
At perverting justice
Both of our hands
Both of our hands

They are no worse than I am; and this country is no worse than my own. 

We are all equally skilled. Equally evil.

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Last week in the office conversation came up about Christ coming back and if we were ready. It was posed as a challenge: Are we living in such a way that we are ready for Christ to return?

There is an implied response that we’re probably not living up to our potential, and we need to alter our lives to live in light of eternity.

…Per usual, I didn’t have the implied response.

Afraid to admit might thoughts to someone who might put me into counseling, I asked Stephen that night, “Is it bad that I am ready? Not because I think I have done enough or that I lived in such a way that I am ready to stand before the Lord. Instead, it’s simply that the idea of living all of life that is in front me with such darkness everywhere; it seems overwhelming.”

I know this appears like I need anti-depressants and counselors. Some of you might recommend I move home. But I genuinely believe those aren’t the solutions.

The groaning has simply become louder. Because we are all equally skilled.

And I don’t actually think this groaning should be ignored, because there is something to groan for. There is redemption coming.

No, don’t gloat over me
Though I fall, though I fall
I will rise again
Though I sit here in darkness
The Lord, the Lord alone
He will be my light
I will be patient 
As the Lord
Punishes me 
For the wrongs I’ve done
Against Him
After that 
He’ll take my case
Bringing me 
To light and the justice
For all I have suffered

And both of His hands
Are equally skilled
At ruining evil 
Equally skilled
At judging the judges 
Equally skilled
Administering justice
Both of His hands

Both of His hands
Are equally skilled
At showing me mercy 
Equally skilled
At loving the loveless 
Equally skilled
Administering justice
Both of His hands
Both of His hands