Greg Chandler
10/27/13
From the first time I met him, I was impressed. With a 1950’s style buzz haircut and a smile that quickly engulfs his face, this young man of thirteen is the epitome of youthful charm and vitality. His vigor and zest for life seems insatiable, yet all of the boundless energy of a teenage boy is trapped in a body that does not always cooperate. Due to a problem from birth, his legs do not move as fast as he desires and, when he’s in a hurry, gravity does not always cooperate. But don’t tell him! If any other boy can do it, so can he. He might be a little slower or have a little more of a challenge, but this young man will do it. Also, don’t take a great deal of notice when he falls, because he will simply tell you he is okay and will be back on his feet and bounding on his way. Why? No one has told him he is a victim. Despite his physical disability, he refuses to allow this challenge to prevent him from achieving his goals. What an impressive example for an age of “victimization!”
Sadly, the current era lauds the victim. People “demanding their rights” have so bogged the court system through frivolous lawsuits that those with legitimate needs often have difficulty having their voices heard. The demand for special attention has permeated modern life so that many who have only minor challenges have been taught the art of being the victim and have become unduly dependent on others to help them through life. Such has also found its way into religion. Excuses abound as to why one cannot do this or that within the service of God. Excuses ranging from a parent’s poor understanding of religion to the unfriendliness of a local church provide the appropriate backdrop for spiritual victimization. In this, God is not pleased and He provides examples of those who stood firm for Him even when they were “victimized” by others.
Consider the case of three young men pulled from their home by an advancing Babylonian army. Brought to the court of Nebuchadnezzar, they were trained in royal affairs, with the expectation that their new king would receive full honor and submission. This became a problem when Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were commanded to bow before the king’s idol. They refused to surrender their faith and did not cry “victim” when threatened with death in the fiery furnace. All manner of excuses could have been offered, but they boldly told the king they would rather die than surrender. By the grace of God, these young men were spared in the flames of the fiery furnace because they refused to allow their faith to crumble.
Also consider the prophets of the Old Testament. These men of faith were tested in countless ways, yet stayed faithful to their Lord. Some were ridiculed, others tortured, and many killed for their faith. Any normalcy in their lives was ended when they took on the work of the Lord. Victims? No! They had times of trial, with some crying out to the Lord for answers. Yet, they never allowed their lives to dissolve into self-pity with pleas of special exceptions from the Lord. They knew the work at hand and did it!
In a similar manner, the Lord’s apostles withstood hostile situations in order to defend their Lord. Often ridiculed and beaten, these men willingly gave their lives for their master. After one incident in which they had been told to end their preaching, Peter and John replied “whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:19-20). Could they have blamed God for their poor treatment? Yes. Could they have longed for peaceful lives? Yes. Could they have claimed that, as poor fishermen, they were not up to the task? Yes. They, however, refused to play the victim. They understood the important work to which they had been called and refused to allow any excuse to stand in the way.
In examining such ideas, each reader must make the decision if he or she is allowing the concept of victimization to inhibit the work that could be taking place in the Lord’s service. If it is determined that excuses are being given to somehow sidestep responsibility, changes are in order. Like the young man mentioned above, do not allow adversity to stop you. If you fall, get back up and get going. If you cannot work quite as hard or fast as another, use the ability the Lord has given you to the fullest degree. In so doing, you will honor your God and show others that He is the most important part of your life. He will help you every step of the way!