What do Human Trafficking, the War on Women, and Les Miserables Have in Common?

          Having a little extra time for reading today, after seeing my chiropractor yet again, I decided to read some more of Les Miserables by Victor Hugo. When I started, I was concerned I'd never get through it. It is 5 volumes with several books in each volume and several chapters for each book. I am in the first volume still, and in the 7th book (out of 8.) I have read over 45 chapters, but my Kindle says that I have only covered 15% of the total book. The book was written in the mid-1800's, so I was worried that I wouldn't understand it, but for the most part it has been an engaging story and a good read. I think it helps that I have seen a couple movie versions, including the musical.

          I came across a passage tonight that struck a chord. Last winter, through various circumstances, the Lord burdened my heart for those who have been trapped in the travesty of human trafficking. Besides learning about this sad situation that exists globally and affects millions of young women and even young men, I learned just how extensive the problem is. Every country is affected, including the United States. We have people in this country right now who are SLAVES. And, to further churn our stomachs, the average age of a girl entering this lifestyle is only 13yo!!!! That's an AVERAGE... meaning some are much younger.....

          Many would look at people in such a situation and maybe think that it is a life that they have chosen, but for many... maybe most... maybe even all.... that is not true.... they are trapped and need to be rescued.... ransomed....

          In Les Miserables, two characters demonstrate this very need. Fantine is trapped into doing things she does not want to do, but must in order to protect her child. But, it is Jean Valjean, once offered grace himself, who now lives as Monsieur Le Maire (the mayor of the village) who not only rescues Fantine, but ransoms her and her child. It is a very touching scene.... much moreso in the book than in the movie or musical.

          There is this introduction into one of the chapters that explores and exposes the plight of Fantine and others like her:

               "What is this history of Fantine? It is a society purchasing a slave.

                 From whom? From misery.

                 

                  From hunger, cold, isolation, destitution. A dolorous bargain. A soul for a morsel of bread. Misery offers: society accepts. 

                   The sacred law of Jesus Christ governs our civilization, but it does not as yet permeate it; it is said that slavery has disappeared from Europe civilization. This is a mistake. It still exists; but it weighs only upon the woman, and it is called prostitution.

                    It weighs upon the woman, that is to say, upon grace, weakness, beauty, maternity. This is not one of the least of man's disgraces. 

                     She has become marble in becoming mire. Whoever touches her feels cold. She passes; she endures you; she ignores you ; she is the severe and dishonored figure. Life and the social order have said their last word for her. All has happened to her that will happen to her. She has felt everything, bourne everything, experienced everything, suffered everything, lost everything, mourned everything. She is resigned, with that resignation which resembles indifference as death resembles sleep. She no longer avoids anything. Let all the clouds fall upon her, and all the ocean sweep over her! What matters it to her? She is a sponge that is soaked.

                  At least, she believes it to be so; but it is an error to imagine that fate can  be exhausted, and that one has reached the bottom of anything whatever. 

                    Alas! What are all these fates, driven on pell-mell? Whither are they going? Why are they thus? He who knows that sees the whole of the shadow. 

                        He is alone. His name is God." -- Les Miserables, Victor Hugo

          That passage was written after the American Civil War, and was published in 1887. Yet, now we have more slaves in this modern time than ever before.... world-wide.... What would Victor Hugo think if he knew? Could he have imagined?

          "This is not one of the least of man's disgraces." 

          You will pardon me if I need to say that Christian hearts must be stirred into action. It is hard to know what to do, isn't it? Even I am not sure.... .but if we don't know what to do, we must at least support those who do.

           Here is where it starts, though-- if we, Christians, don't value human lives, humanity has little hope. What does that mean? All the woes of this world can be linked to the de-valuing of human life.

          You don't steal from human beings if you understand their worth (and even your own.) You don't sell drugs to them. You don't abort them. You don't commit all forms of homicide. You don't go to war against them. You don't abuse them and you don't sell them.

            There is a true war on women, but it isn't against women's choices for her body, as liberal media would like us to believe ...... Ask a woman who has aborted, most often she will say she felt that she had no choice. Ask someone in the sex trade, and likely she will not have any idea that a choice even exists. And, of course, you can't even ask a child who has been aborted what he or she thinks of that.

            The leading cause of death and injury to women, children, and, in reality, *everyone* --- is the de-valuing of human life! 

            If you grasp that we are all made in God's image, and if you have been ransomed and loved by the Savior, grasp this concept and share it with others!   End the de-valuing of human life!

            And, if you can rescue someone... ransom them from horrible circumstances.... or support someone else who can.... please do not delay! Humanity depends upon it!

Under His Wing.....