Kissing Their Scars

In 2008 "Slumdog Millionaire" came on the big screen and ultimately swept the Oscars, winning eight awards including best picture. I had an opportunity to view the movie on a British Airways flight to Hyderabad in 2009, and was amazed at both the cruelty and beauty of the poverty and the people portrayed in the movie. Two of the children in the movie are actually from a slum in Mumbai. They were on the stage at the Oscars among all the glitter, lights, fame, and fortune. But soon, they went back home, back to the slum and the life, to the life they knew before the cameras and fame.

As the movie ended, I felt a sense of helplessness.How can you effectively impact and nation with over a billion people and so much suffering? What do you say to a child who has tasted wealth and fame, but not known the security of a permanent home? Are we just fooling ourselves into thinking we can really make a difference?

Throughout the whole movie, the star pursues his true love, searching for her, never forgetting  her, and never giving up. At the end of the movie, they embrace and he kisses the scar on her face that represents all the pain, the suffering, and evil that has happened to her. And in that kiss it is all washed away. The pain, the suffering, the years of separation; it's a beautiful picture of what God has done for us. He never quits pursuing us, He never loses hope, He kisses our scars and heals the pain that dwells within.

And that is what we can do also. It's too overpowering to think about trying to bring change to India as a whole. The pain is overwhelming. But even though I may not be able to bring massive change, I can be used by God to pursue a few people. To not give up, to remember, to pray; to see God kiss their scars and bring life again.

I have no idea what I would say to those children returning home to poverty. I would want them to know that wealth and fame aren't the only way to a better life. That joy and contentment can be found in the slum too. But who am I to say these things when I live so well?

Maybe the best thing would to just bend down and kiss their scars.

Prayer Points:
Remember that Jesus came that the whole world might be saved
Pray that the Holy Spirit will speak clearly to the people and that many will respond

Pray for Adhori of India

Population: Unknown
World Pop: Unknown
Main Language: Hindi
Main Religion: Hinduism
Bible: Complete
Status: Least-Reached
Christ-Followers: Few, less than 2%

"Declare his glory among the nations" Psalm 96:3