What To Do About Syria?

    This whole Syria thing is quite the conundrum. Like you, I saw the video images of the mass of innocent people writhing in pain after being exposed to some kind of chemical substance. Our government seems very certain that the chemical attack (and we do know it was an attack from someone) originated from Bashar al-Assad and his regime. Of course, Assad denies it was him and blames the Syrian rebels (those who were killed in the attack). It is now estimated that over 110,000  people have died since the civil war began.
    It’s been debated on a national level for years as to how America should respond. After all, we should do the right and noble thing. And wouldn’t it be right to protect innocent civilians? Of course!
    But how? That’s the problem. Most reliable sources estimate that since the civil war began, so many Al Qaeda and other Islamisists (those devoted to making Islam the only political and religious authority) have flooded to the aid of the Syrian rebels that American support could lead to a scenario in that country worse than the way things have been. There have also been documented cases of major war crimes committed on the part of the rebels. And now Russian President Vladimir Putin is claiming that he will send Assad’s regime a missile defense system to protect them from an American retaliation. Who knows what any response on our part could lead to?
    So seriously, how can we help the innocent people in Syria who are being caught in the crossfire (and not just a few of them)?
    I don’t know. I really don’t know. Our government, the United Nations, American allies, none of them know either. We feel like we have to do something, but what? I really don’t know. And by the looks of things, I’m not convinced anyone does.
    Jesus Christ is the only answer.
    In this very dark land, overwhelmingly Muslim, torn apart by war and now devastated with all-out economic collapse, a people who want nothing to do with the only real answer for them, could only be rescued by turning to him.
    And that is happening right now in record numbers. As tens of thousands of refugees are flooding near-by Lebanon, Lebanese Christian churches (where religious liberty is also severely limited) are responding with care like no other group. And their churches are burgeoning with former Syrian Muslims who have been overwhelmed by the love of God being expressed by Christ-followers (the concept of a “loving” God is foreign in pure Islam). Even Lebanese Muslims are taking note of the sincerity of the Christians in their country and many are softening to their message.
    I hate war and everything about it. I hate sickness and disease, hardship and relational turmoil. But this one thing I have learned: In the deepest of darkness, even a little light shines bright. Now, these once tiny lights in Lebanon are brightening the landscape of a very treacherous part of the world. And God is being glorified by every new believer who is embracing him through the faithful witness of those who love Jesus.
    Let’s pray this leads to an avalanche of evangelism in that part of the world!