Most times in life we don't have to look very far to see heartache, pain, anger and cruelty. With the communicative power of the internet, tragic images find their way into our homes, our hearts and our minds daily. When I read the definition above, I have to say that my first thoughts were turned to the suffering masses in Syria; Aleppo especially.
This part of the world has been in conflict since 2012. What started as protests quickly escalated into civil war. To my mind, there are no clear cut good or bad guys in this fight. The politics of the region are nuanced and conflicting and I won't pretend to understand the who's, why's and how's. What I do know is that the people of Syria, the citizens of Aleppo are suffering; and dying.
The latest developments have rebel fighters, injured soldiers and terrified civilians being loaded onto buses in a mass exodus from this city; Syria's largest. Food, water, medical care and safety have become rare commodities and the people in this community are desperate. They are leaving in fits and spurts with no guarantee for their personal safety. It is also sobering to consider that the location they are being taken to is a slaughter pen of sorts; one road in and one road out..... and once they are gathered, they will be dealt with and no one will be left to tell the tale.
This situation in Syria is tragic. But what really gets me, when we start to look at the situation, is the fact that as citizens of the world, we don't do more to help ease the suffering of these people; husbands, wives, mothers, fathers, children. I often find myself asking why things like this happen and what could I have possibly done to have escaped these circumstances in my earth life. Although I don't have a solid and sure answer, the best I can figure, my role and responsibility as a citizen of the world is to sacrifice my time, talent and resources for the good of all men.
Segregation of ideas, of cultures, of races and religions has existed since the dawn of time. In my lifetime I have been a witness to the Rwandan genocide, the massacre at Srebrenica during the Bosnian War and the oppression of thousands of other humans throughout the world. We were given a hard and sobering lesson to learn during and immediately after the second world war when the extent of Hitler's madness and depravity were exposed. Once of my very favorite quotes is by Edmund Burke.
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."
So, we have a choice. We can act or we can be acted upon. I can choose to go about my life in Centerville, Utah..... where I have clean water, adequate sanitation, safe schools for my kids, freedom of expression and the right to worship as I see fit.... and I can play the part of the proverbial ostrich and stick my head in the sand; pretending that all is well. Or, I can take the example of so many good people who have come before me and look for a way to use my time and talents to bless others lives.
I get incredibly frustrated because so many people I know do not know or pay attention to things happening in other parts of the world; because they're not affected and they find it sad and depressing. But, today I heard a story about a 10-year-old boy in Aleppo who lost his parents during the first part of the fighting in the city four and a half years ago. He was five! He has been on his own, left to his own devices and resources for FOUR AND A HALF YEARS. Surely we can do better than that.
I am more than frustrated; I am livid at the attitude that has been adopted by so many Americans that says that we need to build walls, enhance our border protection and use a persons race, country of origin or religion as a litmus test for admission to the United States. I get ill thinking about the shortsightedness of so many; the realization that in three or four generations, many members of the LDS Church have forgotten what it means to be discriminated against, persecuted and driven from place to place because people disagree with you and don't want you around.
How quickly the citizens of this great nation forget the ideas and principles upon which this country was founded. Everyone is so quick to mention how divinely inspired the men who settled and colonized this land were.... but they forget the part where all were welcome and people were invited to come and contribute. It never ceases to amaze me how quickly folks will forget the sting of their suffering and will then turn and inflict suffering on those around them.
We live in perilous times; there are no guarantees. However, I do know that with the help of my Savior, with an attempt to foster faith, hope and charity... I have the opportunity to make my world a better place. I am trying constantly to remember to be humble and there are more times than I care to admit that I have found myself on the wrong side of history or public opinion. We have been given commandments and asked to follow them. The Lord has promised us so many blessings if we will serve others and keep our covenants. That is why I am here.
The Lord has called us a peculiar people. Let us take that challenge and stand apart from those who are content and lazy. Be different from those who settle and react. Let us take initiative to share all of the gifts that God has given us; to be examples of love and acceptance and know that it is not given to us to judge, only to love. Let us look at our fellow man as an opportunity for us to learn patiences, sympathy, love, long suffering and so many more emotions and situations that I can't even being to wrap my mind around.
Start small, but start today. Share a smile with someone on the street. Hold open a door for someone older or the young mom balancing two small kids and a stroller. Recognize that at any time, your weaknesses may be put under a microscope. We need to structure our lives and our relationships so that we can work and walk together back down the path to our Heavenly Father. It is my hope that we can all show love and compassion to those around us; both known and unknown. I testify that God knows me and He knows you. He knows about your struggles and He is holding you up; even though it doesn't feel like it. Have faith and show love. Love will move mountains, of this I am sure.
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