What does a story from thousands of years ago in the book of Nehemiah have to do with our response to the stories we see from campuses in our region, like Mizzou, or attrocities from April at Garissa University or this past week in Paris?
When Nehemiah heard the news of the suffering of his people and the destruction of his city, he wept for some days. It was not until after prayer, taking risks, and asking for resources did he actually examine the state of the walls of Jerusalem.
As a White American man there are a few typical immediate responses I have when I hear about oppression of people in my campus, city, or world – numbness, questioning, or seeking to fix.
What if like Nehemiah when we read these stories we sat and wept first before thinking what is next?