Last day we were saying that in the midst of
suffering, we can find meaning in life by accepting responsibility
for our lives. I find it fascinating talking about these things, to the
men in prison. It’s also heart wrenching to
hear of some born into biker gangs, or alcoholism, or
sexual abuse, or violence. Since most of the guys are white, it
makes the concept of white privilege something of a joke, all
be it a bad one. If anyone has a right to victimhood, surely it’s
these guys. And there are some advantages to victimhood. Well, what
are they, you ask? For a start there is the sympathy and the
validation of your victimhood you get from friends, and you don’t have to do the hard
work of taking responsibility, or the pain of recovery.
Then there's the “sweet taste” of taking revenge, and the
possibility of the judge considering extenuating circumstances, in
sentencing. Of course, we don’t want to admit that we
are no different from the perpetrators, when we revenge.
And it's astonishing, in a way, how often victims become
victimizers.
But in another way it is not astonishing at all, since the default response seems to be escalation. This is why we need
laws. It's also why the introduction of the ten commandments
was so very, very revolutionary in a culture where parents needed
to be told not to sacrifice their children in Molech’s fire
(Leviticus 18:21; Jeremiah 19:5). But still we might want to
ask “Do we not have a right to not suffer?” I'm not going to touch that with a ten foot barge pole. But what
seems to be a fact, is that we all suffer (John 16:33). A better question is “How are we to deal with suffering?”
In terms of taking responsibility, we are not responsible for the
evil and suffering perpetrated on us. We are however,
responsible for our reaction to it all, that and for reaping the consequences
of our own bad choices. As I have already said, when we
respond in the same way as the perpetrators, we become no
different from them. So the questions become more about the
what and the how of our response.
It's simple, but not easy. “Do not be
overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21).
Yes, but how? I needed a higher power, someone bigger and stronger, wiser and more powerful than me, and someone who will ultimately
bring justice. The men who put together the original twelve
step program knew these Bible based principles would
work at some level, even if the higher power was not Christ.
As I have attended some of these twelve step programs I see that
there are, those who do get victory over their addictions, many in
this sense are conquerors. But I want to be more than a conqueror
(Romans 8:37), and I don't see how that can happen unless I take
Jesus as both my Lord and saviour. So am I joking? Well
no, but even with Jesus, I cannot go from victim to rejoicing in
suffering (James 1:2) in a single step. And what I am saying, is
that it starts with taking responsibility for my life.
Father, some of the things You tell us to do
seem impossible, but I have learnt that when we totally surrender to
You, You give us the resources to move towards doing them (Philippians
2:12,13). So I'm asking for them this morning Lord,
in Jesus Name Amen
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