Pastor Rick Bayers, Canyon Creek Christian Fellowship
Occasionally the media reports good news stories. Though overshadowed by the latest from Michael Jackson’s death and the rising U.S. unemployment; this was a good news story for me. It’s a story of justice.
In a gesture of charity, the Canadian government has released the Republic of Haiti of its entire $2.3-million debt to Canada, Jim Flaherty, the finance minister said Thursday.
Justice, according to my definition, is the intention of God to set the world right. It exudes from the pages of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation.
Some Christian fundamentalists have little concern for justice. They have a “left behind” theology that says Jesus is coming back so why bother improving this world. Unfortunately those people seem unaware of the teachings and priorities of Jesus.
Take for example Jesus’ well-known “Lord’s Prayer” or “Our Father” prayer. He asked that we pray “thy kingdom come”. Jesus envisioned a time when God’s rule and reign would make things right here on this earth.
In that same prayer he told us to ask for “our daily bread” and to “forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors”.
Canada has done a noble thing in forgiving the debt of Haiti towards our nation. Some will suggest that shouldn’t these third world countries work hard towards getting ahead and then repay us.
If only it were that simple. We in Canada have many prospects to get ahead where as those in third world countries do not. If someone is dying from AIDS, they’re using all their energy to simply survive. If one has to walk miles and miles to try and get clean drinking water, then job-hunting falls down the list of priorities.
If one’s existence consists of living in a refugee camp, then setting monthly goals doesn’t make sense. You may not have a month to live.
“The Lord said, ‘I have indeed seen the misery of my people…I have heard them crying out…I am concerned about their suffering.’” states Exodus 3:7.
Justice is a big deal to God.
The Canadian government occasionally does something right. Today was one of those days and I thank God for it. Haiti will be better off with this monkey off their back. This world will be better off.
And God will smile because justice is being done in this world.
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I can really appreciate the need for debt relief in Haiti Rick. I have a college friend and his wife who are both long term missionaries in Haiti. Ricot himself is a Haitian orphan who was raised by missionaries and now he and his wife seek to bring freedom to his people through their organization ‘Heart for Home Ministries’ (www.heartforhome.wordpress.com/).
On many occasions he has shown me the greater need for environmental, farming, and education reform which is far more valuable then simply throwing money at the problems.
The act of dept forgiveness I think is far deeper then Canada’s government might even know. It is a forgiveness of governmental practice as well and it is Spiritual in nature. I remember Ricot sharing the history of his country with me and it struck me hard as he articulated where Haiti’s name came from. Somewhere in the history (I apologize for not remembering the date although I think it was fairly recent; as in the last century) Haiti’s government was deeply involved with the practice of voodoo. So much so that the leaders actually dedicated their country to Satan while giving it the title of Haiti (Hell)!
A forgiveness of dept and act of social justice and reform?!… It is as Jesus promised; we shall see greater things then this! (John 1:50)
“Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” – Luke 10:19-20