Inspired by Faith

Freedom for the Oppressed

I fell in love with Jesus when I was a teen - loved his teachings, his style, and everything about him! I love when he stood up in front of a bunch of stodgy religous leaders stuck in their traditions (Luke 4:18-19) and declared freedom for the oppressed. It was like an old Western movie “I'm getting tired of your meddling. This town ain't big enough for the both of us and I'm going to give you 24 hours to get out.” Or superman, “With great power comes great responsibility!” I want to be like Jesus and bring good news to the poor. Be like Compassion International and feed the hungry. Or bring sight to the blind through organizations like Doctors Without Borders and Sightsavers.org. I want to help free the oppressed.
In most under-developed nations today, oppression is less likely the result of insurrectionists, terrorists, or corrupt government. What we find pervasively oppressive in today’s world are economic mayhem, mis-used resources, and a deficit of strategic planning. On a planet where 90% of adults carry a cell phone that has direct access to a wealth of knowledge and information… we struggle to form that information into a pattern that enables those same adults to participate in economic and social stability. Just a few years ago there was a drought in Kenya and many people were on the brink of starvation. How can this be? In a country that produces tremendous amounts of grain, fruit, and vegetables. In a world that understands how to process and preserve food. Did we fail to plan? Did we fail to distribute the resources available? We are quick to send our monthly pledge to save a starving child. But why can we not seem to save a starving nation using the same knowledge, information, and economic stability that is present in other nations? Why is it that in this current era while we are giving more donations to under developed countries than any other time in history… we still have under developed countries? My life call is to follow Jesus. To be his hands and his feet (1 Corinthians 12:27). Go where he would have me go. Do what he would have me do. It seems that after so many years of feeding the oppressed - clothing the oppressed - and caring for the oppressed - maybe it is time to free the oppressed.

- Ted Tyree

Isaiah 58:6-7

“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?
Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe them,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?