I just read an article over at the Jesus Creed that outlines the ways in which sex traffickers target sporting events for prostitution. This isn't news to me because, through our young adults ministry, we've been getting involved in the issues of human trafficking and, thanks to Dan Clark and doma, we've been educated on the issue. Every time I hear about human trafficking, particularly the sex trafficking of minors, I become murderous with rage. My first reaction is to go buy a gun and seek out and destroy as many pimps and traffickers as I can.
That's probably not the healthiest reaction. So I've been trying to channel those energies into different directions, and I'm beginning to understand how I can be an abolitionist without killing the slave-traders. When we hosted a Human Trafficking 101 course at Heritage, Dan told us that the most important thing we can do to stop sex trafficking is to become sexually whole people who are aware of their sexual brokenness, and who are inviting God to heal them.
Sexually whole people don't have sex with prostitutes, and especially under-age prostitutes. Sexually whole people don't engage with pornography and supply money to the sex industry. Sexually whole people don't sexually abuse children. Sexually whole people don't create demand for these "services".
While I might find some dark joy in the deaths of pimps and traffickers, I know that new pimps and traffickers would arise to take their place. The only way to end sex trafficking and prostitution is to make it go out of business. The only way to make it go out of business is for me and you to become sexually whole people. The only way for us to become sexually whole people is to experience God's deep, transforming presence in the darkest places of our souls where our sexual brokenness lies hidden beneath layers of rationalization and disregard.
The gospel of Jesus Christ is the most important message in the world not because it's the only way for us to get to heaven when we die, but because it's the only message that carries with it the power to transform us from the inside out. The deep, transforming, presence of God, to which we have access through the blood of Jesus, is the answer to all of the evil on earth and to all of the evil within you.
Let's be clear: Human trafficking exists because there is a demand for it. The only way to shrink that demand is for humans, especially men, to encounter God in the deep places of their soul, and to be made new in the power of Christ. What can you do to help drive the sex trafficking industry out of business?
1 comment:
Maybe something I can do is stop disregarding Sex Trafficking as the new "It Cause" (like AIDS in Africa 10 years ago). The mere fact that it's popular does mean it lacks substance and requires action. I definitely need to lose my attitude and start CARING for people. Agape love, you know?
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