WANJIKU'S CRY CONTINUES

How was Wanjiku's week? Well, it started with a trip to the market to get supplies for her vegetable kiosk. On getting to the market, she was asked to pay a small ‘fee' to get in. She paid the fee, only to get into the market and find that the items she needed were beyond her budget.

Wanjiku went home after that, where she had left a sick child. She rushed to the local government facility, only to find that the doctors were still on strike.  You see, her child's condition requires that she see a doctor, not a clinical officer. She took her child home and then went to open her vegetable stall. After a few hours of business, some people passed by, demanding a ‘protection' fee from her, and shortly after, a council officer came along asking for the daily ‘fee' (the one that doesn't come with a receipt).

Wanjiku's life sucks. She is being oppressed left, right and centre. What can you, a Christian, do to help her? What can the church do?

1. Protect her from her oppressors

Isaiah 1:17 "Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows." (NLT)

The verse above from Isaiah puts this very clearly – help the oppressed. Stand up for that person in your neighborhood who is being oppressed. For example, people are thrown out of their houses every day by property owners who don't abide by tenancy agreements and take advantage of their tenants' ignorance. Another typical example is that of child abuse and neglect. Why don't you do something about this? Be an instrument of change in your surroundings and be a voice for the voiceless.

Zechariah 7:10 "Do not oppress widows, orphans, foreigners, and the poor. And do not scheme against each other." (NLT)

Take the verse from Zechariah as a personal challenge. In one's daily dealings, it is very easy to oppress another person without realizing it. Oppression can take place anywhere, from not treating one's domestic workers well, to refusing to pay for goods and services.

Remember, an oppressed person is a stressed person. Give Wanjiku the support she needs.

2. Ask God to deliver Wanjiku from her oppressors.

God hates people who oppress others. The following verse from Proverbs put this clearly:

Proverbs 22:16 "A person who gets ahead by oppressing the poor or by showering gifts on the rich will end up in poverty." (NLT)

In God's eyes, the person who oppresses poor people will get his just reward, poverty. That's just the way it works in God's economy. He requires that we show love, concern, and respect for everybody, especially those who appear to be struggling in life. 

Christians need to take a prominent role in this area.  As a believer, you need to set an example for your peers, friends, and workmates on how to treat Wanjiku. The church also needs to be more welcoming to people from different walks of life. Pastors, stop focusing on church members who contribute significantly to your church's coffers. Every member of your flock is important.

Psalm 146:7a "He gives justice to the oppressed and food to the hungry." (NLT)

God's desire is that every person under oppression receives justice. It is the duty of the church to call upon him in prayer, asking for his help as they undertake the task of making Wanjiku's life better.

Christians, you could be Wanjiku's last and only hope. The challenge to you is to find out what you can do within your surroundings to help her out, as you prayerfully seek God for wisdom and resources for the task. As you do so, remember that Wanjiku is precious in the Lord's sight, just like you.

Psalm 9:9 "The LORD is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble." (NLT)

Was this article helpful? Please share it on your social networks. 

Did you miss last week's reflection? Check it out here - The Cry of Wanjiku

Interested in a different topic? Here is one for you - What Makes You Unique?