Simple thoughts about complex issues...

Americans are conditioned to expect solutions – complete solutions. When a problem is presented, we want it eradicated. Less than that is considered a fail. Close only counts in horse shoes and hand grenades.

When faced with huge problems like the Syrian refugee crisis, we paint with a broad brush saying “Keep them out. The risk is too great.” Or “Let them in. We are compassionate people.” We’d like to choose A or B, and the problem is solved.

But it won’t be…both sides are right in their arguments. Short of a radical change of heart on the part of our administration, there is no possibility of defeating the source of this problem, and even then the complexities of the crisis do not bring a satisfactory solution for innocents in danger.

We have to do the thing that Americans are reluctant to do…fight the small battles. We cannot take a broad action, declare a clean win and then move on. We need to beat back the enemy, reclaiming ground one small parcel at a time. Expressing compassion in practical ways to those in distress will take tenacity, arduous effort, prudence and wisdom. And the progress will be painfully small and slow for our American mindset. We don’t appreciate or understand centuries of conflict between people.

While our government is capable of making broad condemnations and taking strong military action against the perpetrators of evil, (if only they would) compassion is best expressed by the people of this great nation. It is better to do the small things at hand, even if it means helping only a few and not all.

Compassionate Americans need to be asking themselves how they can help those few right now. It is a temptation to throw up our hands that the problem is too big to be solved, and absolve ourselves of action. It’s easy to hide behind the conundrum that all deserve help, but not all will receive it – so nothing should be done until all can be helped. A life saved, is a life saved. A family receiving the opportunity to live where they can use their talents to provide for themselves, is one less family caught in the crossfire of evil – territory taken back from the enemy, however small.

There are organizations and efforts now that are in need of our abundant financial resources to do this. We need to seek them out. I suggest Samaritan’s Purse, and Glenn Beck’s Nazarene Project. (Read about the Nazarene Project here: http://www.glennbeck.com/2015/09/09/the-nazarene-fund-frequently-asked-questions) I am sure they are more that are doing good work as well.

As well, I am challenged about my attitude toward the refugees that already reside in my community. How can I help them step into opportunities to experience freedom and autonomy? How can our community appreciate their identity, and encourage their education in liberty as they begin to enjoy a life without fear of danger and death? How do we live out our values to instill trust and hope in those who have suffered so much?

We are far from the danger zone; yet we are capable of simple and compassionate actions to assist those that are in the middle of the battle.

And we should.