It was the saddest museum that I had ever visited.
I followed a group of excited tourists into an elevator. But when the door shut, all fell silent.
We turned to look up in front of us, as a small screen came to life…
It was the introduction to the Holocaust. As we watched and listened in silence, the elevator slowly crept down…
Then it all stopped. As the door opened again, into a dark room, we all felt a part of it, we were there…no longer just tourists. We had each been given an identification card with the story of someone who lived during that time.
Now, we silently came out of the elevator into a dark room filled with many others.
Along the walls were dimly lit photos and articles of importance.
Historic voices of those in the past were the only sounds to be heard.
All were somber and quiet, gazing in remembrance at the sorrowful time of the past.
I slowly strolled through the dimly lit rooms and halls of the museum that day, seeing the joys and the horrors of that time in history, the Holocaust.
I could not imagine anyone coming out of the exhibit who was not humbled by the experience.
Just imagining the horrors is enough, but seeing pictures, videos, artifacts, and even smelling the filth of hundreds of dirty old shoes… It really humbles you.
There were also other more graphic photos and silent videos which were covered on all sides and only visible by those who were older and wished to see them.
I had no need or desire to see them and I was thankful that they were covered.
Through this Holocaust experience, I was not only humbled with the desire to praise Yahweh that we have our lives and the liberty to study the Bible and live for Him…
But also, that we live in yet another Holocaust.
Looking in the past, we can see the horrors done and wonder how they could have been so cruel.
Yet, we are living in a second Holocaust. One that has taken more lives than the first…
Our young and our old are being targeted! The most innocent and helpless are losing their lives every day in this silent Holocaust!
We say, that if we would have lived then, we would have done something to stop it. But what are we doing now?
Many babies are never born…never to see the light of day…never to take their first step or say their first word…
Many mothers are left in lifelong grieve and guilt, struggling in depression, anger, self-hate, and suicide…
Many of our grandparents, aunts, uncles, great grandparents, parents, friends, and family…the elderly among us, are being abused, starved, dehydrated, and euthanized…silently without any help…
This silent Holocaust is real and happening just a few miles away from us all…
What will you do?
Based on my experience at the Holocaust Museum in Washington D.C. May you be Inspired.