A few days ago, we were greeted with the news of violent attacks against foreigners in South Africa.

Clips of videos and pictures containing disturbing violent scenes have been circulating all over social networks and it is quite difficult not to feel a sense of sadness over the affair.

I do not for once believe that South Africans are cruel people. I have wonderful South African friends and many are readers on Biblepraise newsletter and I am sure that they are saddened by the terrible and shocking recent events happening in their country. It is heartwarming to see South African University students, Journalists and Musicians protesting against the xenophobic killings.

 Just as we were trying to make sense of what was going on in South Africa, news came from Italy that over 700 migrants were drowned in the Mediterranean after their boat capsized. They were migrants from different African countries trying to get into Europe, most of them having paid smugglers as much as $800 to undertake the treacherous journey by ill-maintained boats from Libya to the coasts of Italy.

There is one common denominator with these two events. The victims and the perpetrators have a common heritage - they are Africans. In the first instance, the motivation is to remove those are perceived as a hindrance to their economic survival.

In the second instance, the motivation is making money out of people desperate to migrate elsewhere to seek a better life.

Having witnessed these sad and gruesome events, what should our attitude and response be? As Christians, we should condemn such atrocities but also understand that we live in and sinful and wicked world.  We should live our lives in such a way that our light will shine before men and they will glorify our Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)

Let us be like the Good Samaritan, who went out of his way to give help and assistance to the injured traveller event when the Priest and the Levite looked the other way. (Luke 10:35-37)  We may not have much in terms of resources but there will be something we have that we can give - an encouragement, a prayer,  a smile and a helping hand.

The world is becoming more and more selfish by the day; this is the time when Christians everywhere should shine through as we show our selflessness just as Christ taught us. Let us be the lights of hope that the world is looking for.

I wish things would get better in our world but sadly it is never going to get better but we can make a difference even in a decaying world.

Steve Popoola is the editor of Biblepraise Newsletter and the founder of  the Biblepraise Fellowship Online at http://www.biblepraise.org. He lives in Kent, United Kingdom, where he works as an IT Professional. He currently serves as a Worship Leader as well as Home Group Leader  in his local church and on occasion, speaks at invited events. He is the founder of the Biblepraise Fellowship Online Ministry and Moderator/Editor of the  Biblepraise Newsletter. He can be reached through His email address,  steve@biblepraise.org