On being a victim

 

Being a victim

 

Day by day the list of people identified as victims seems to grow. The latest one is reported in a recent news article: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-19/who-finds-billions-suffer-from-ageism/100016688. So that’s victims based on race, gender, sexual orientation (dis)ability, cultural and religious background, injustice, violence and now age. Doubtless the list could be added to and will be added to.

 

Is any of us not a victim? Even for a white-skinned, educated male like me who grew up in a stable family and who has  suffered little during a largely untroubled life, I’m sure there’s an area of victimisation somewhere – even if it’s only the oncoming process of ageing or the general condition of being a fallen person in a fallen world.

 

To say this is not to belittle suffering or the harsh realities of those who, amidst the general fallen condition of humanity, have particular suffering, prejudice and discrimination because of who they are. These are real realities. They hurt. They matter. As we are each able, we should join the struggle to minimise such particular suffering and help care for those who are its victims. And we should examine ourselves and take responsibility for any ways in which we make others victim.

 

Instances abound of people who refuse to be defined by their victim-hood. I think of two friends with profound but different physical disabilities which have a range of other limiting effects. Both have striven to do work-around for the disability and lead flourishing lives. One even expresses thankfulness for his disability, saying that it has opened realities for him that otherwise he would have missed. I think of another with a perplexing mental illness but who could see how it opened marvellous creative capacities in her life.

 

The apostle Paul had reasons to claim status as a victim. Because he changed religion, he became an outsider to his cultural community and attracted unwanted attention from law-enforcement agencies. He lists and ‘boasts’ of all this in 2 Cor. 11:23-28. Yet more was to be added to this list before he died for his religious beliefs.

 

Yet Paul refuses to be defined as a victim. And so, he writes:

 

¹¹ Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. ¹² I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. ¹³ I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (Phil 4:11-13.

 

For Paul, it’s a choice to be contented, whatever the circumstances. Even from a prison cell imposed by an unjust process, he looks to flourish (Phil 1:12-18. See also Acts 16:19-25). Behind that, lies his confidence that whatever nasty things life throws at us, God is always working for the good of his people and nothing can separate them form God’s love (Rom 8:28-30).

 

So, there’s the choice. We can rail against the unfairness of our victimhood and be defined by it in limiting and possibly harmful ways, or we can accept our circumstances, choose contentment and flourish as we can and where we are.

 

Victimhood or victoriousness?

 

The risky business of foreign missions

 

The risky business of foreign missions

 

Some years back a major global missionary society held a conference of its research group. Just before morning tea one day it was announced that the following session would be on “Managing risk in missions” and would be led by someone from the finance department. You could hear expectations thud to the floor – ‘an accountant talking about risk’.

 

The session started as expected. An accountant-looking person ran through the many risks linked to mission work: health, education of children, financial shortfall, kidnapping, banishment, death and more. He spoke realistically about these issues and outlined some prudent risk management measures. He paused: ‘let me now tell you about the greatest risk in missions’. Everyone was listening. ‘Our greatest risk is that we are so risk averse that we go off mission and the people of this region do not hear about Jesus.’ He then reminded the group of the society’s mission statement and pointed out that the more they remained on mission the more they were in the territory of risk. This was because their key mission was to change the long-held world views and belief systems of the peoples that hosted them. Their danger was that they would become so skilled in risk minimisation that they went off mission.  

 

What use is a missionary society that has lost its mission and been domesticated to avoid risk?

 

Similar issues still arise in missionary work.

 

The recent World Watch list by Open Doors lists the most dangerous places to be a Christian (https://www.opendoors.org.au/assets/WWL-Report.pdf). This is a grim reminder that just to be a Christian in many places is dangerous, let alone to be a readily identifiable foreign national doing outreach work. To go anytime is to be at risk.

 

The present global Covid-19 outbreak raises further issues. It may be far safer for the missionary to say in their home country, even in the more Covid-affected nations of the west, than to go to a country with poor infection control, slower vaccination rates and a compromised health system. To go now is to be at risk.

 

Yet still the missionaries will go. To some their going will seem foolish, reckless, a dangerous disregard for circumstances and a lack of concern for others.

 

 So why will they still go and go now?

 

It is not because they are foolhardy, or blind to facts or have a wish to be martyred.

 

It is because they know the truth of the saying of Jim Elliot whose death anniversary was marked this week: He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.

 

They also know the word of him who said: For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it (Matt 10:39).

Que Sera, Sera – a song for 2021?

 

Que Sera, Sera – a song for 2021?

 

Que sera sera was popularised in a 1956 film song (www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZbKHDPPrrc).

 

The que sera sera saying is commonly translated ‘what will be will be’. Wikipedia reports that the phrase only appears in English language sources (although it is widely translated into other languages) and tracks its first recorded appearance in 16^th century British usage on a church plaque, in a family motto and in Marlowe’s play Doctor Faustus (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Que_Sera,_Sera).

 

At its heart the saying embodies an attitude to life that can be linked to stoic resignation (not to be equated with Greek Stoic philosophy). “It is what it is” is a presently popular saying embodying the same attitude. Likewise, with the prayer used in some self-help programmes: “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.” The que sera sera attitude takes many forms in many cultures globally.

 

This is an attitude that accepts life as it is without emotion – just grin and bear it. As the world starts 2021 with a fearful anxiety about resurgent Covid-19, the song seems to offer a measure of comfort.

At one level, it embodies a healthy attitude. The person who accepts and deals with the reality that is in front of them may find that they have a helpful coping mechanism before life’s challenges. Rather than rail against circumstances in a futile effort to change them, or collapse into despair or escapism, the que sera attitude enables people to accept things as they are and focus on adjusting to them. There is much to be said for this. My late Chinese godmother drew comfort and a coping mechanism from this kind of attitude (and the song) in her life which was accompanied by much hardship from difficult circumstances.

At another level, the saying seems to align with the Bible’s words about contentment. Consider these words from Paul: I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want (Phil 4:11 – NIV). These words are remarkable considering the suffering which he voluntarily endured in the service of the gospel. See his summary in 2 Cor 11:23-28. For decades I wondered what Paul’s secret of contentment was … what was the thing that enabled him to be content in any circumstance? Eventually the answer was clear – the secret is to be content. This enables the believer to find peace in even the most appalling circumstances. It mirrors the attitude of Christ, who faced with the dread agony of his coming crucifixion, could pray ‘your will, not mine be done’ (Lke 22:42) and show other-centered generosity in his final hour (eg,  Lke 23:34, 43 & Jn 19:25-27)

Back to que sera sera. Is this the same as Christian contentment? In its bare form, que sera sera appears to be a variety of fatalism. The view behind it seems to be that life and events move in ways that impose unchanging and unchangeable circumstances on people and our best response is one of acceptance and resignation. It’s a view of the universe as a relentless and impersonal place in which humans are acted upon rather than acting. Such views are found in Islam, in classic Deism and in mechanistic cosmologies. In Christian terms, this is represented by theologies that reduce the creator to an unmoved mover who is not only impassable, but who is without emotion and who does not answer his people’s prayers.

 

These are not Christian views.

 

The Christian faith sees the universe as the creation of a personal and loving God who remains providentially involved in his creation (eg, Matt 6:25-30). He hears and answers prayers (eg, Mat 7:7-8). He made people to be responsible actors in the universe on his behalf rather than just the objects of its actions. Hence his commands to rule .. fill .. subdue …work and care … name other species and such like (Gen 1:26-29; 2:18, 19-20). So, on the various counts of the nature of the universe and the nature of people, and prayer, que sera sera rests on sub-Christian assumptions.

 

As noted, Paul’s teaching on contentment overlaps with que sera sera. The Scriptures also show an anguished refusal to be content with things that are wrong and an earnest concern that they become different. And so, the anger of Jesus when his father’s temple was corrupted (Mrk 12:15-17) , or Paul’s anguish for his personal spiritual state (eg, Phil 3:8-14) or for his fellow Jews to change their religious loyalty (eg, Rom 9:1-3; 10:1). The Christian should not be content to accept circumstances as they are when those are the circumstances of a fallen world in which the Lord’s name is dishonoured, in which vulnerable people suffer through the sins of others and in which God’s good creation is marred by human greed and selfishness.

 

So, whatever surface comfort que sera sera appears to offer, it is ultimately sub-Christian in its view of the universe, of people, and of human responsibilities and potential.

 

Here is a better song for the new year.

 

God moves in a mysterious way
  His wonders to perform:
He plants His footsteps in the sea,
  And rides upon the storm.

 

Deep in unfathomable mines
  Of never-failing skill,
He treasures up His bright designs,
  And works His sovereign will.

 

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
  The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy, and shall break
  In blessings on your head.

 

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
  But trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence
  He hides a smiling face.

 

His purposes will ripen fast,
  Unfolding every hour:
The bud may have a bitter taste,
  But sweet will be the flower.

 

Blind unbelief is sure to err,
  And scan His work in vain;
God is His own Interpreter,
  And He will make it plain.

(William Cowper, 1773).

 

 

 

Planning 2021

 

Planning 2021

 

At this time of year when life is a bit slower, many take the opportunity to review the past year and plan for the next.

 

In this of all years, we are aware of the contingency of our plans – as Scripture testifies (Prv 16:1-3; 9; Jas 4:13-16).

 

However, as children of the God who plans from eternity to eternity, it is good to plan rather than waste our life and service in him with aimless drifting.

 

Here is a simple tool to be used and modified as fits.

 

 

 

Personal Annual Planning Tool

 

Before God I commit to the following that I might …

 

WHO AM I? (Identity) 

 

WHAT DO I WANT TO BE IN 2021 (Vision)

 

Write a series of numbered concise individual statements that build on the identity statement

 

E.g.

1.     An engaged and supportive member of my church

 

WHAT DO I WANT TO DO IN 2021? (Mission)

 

Write a series of numbered concise individual statements that build on the vision  statement

 – everything in the vision should be represented at least once in the mission statement and everything in the mission statement should link to something in the vision statement

 

E.g.

1. Participate fully in church life as befits my circumstances

 

Goals

 

Break the mission statement into specific goals related to different life areas. Every item in the mission statement should be represented at least once in the goals and every goal should link back to the mission statement.

 

Area	Goal	M item	Evidence of achievement	Notes
Life area	Write as a SMART goal	Write the number linking this to the mission statement	How will achievement be measured
Eg
Church	Be at church every Sunday I am in town	1	Weekly ask if I could have been there and was I there	Allow some scope for variation depending on illness and exceptional circumstances

 

·       

 

How will I keep these goals in my gaze?

 

Beyond virtual church in a Covid-19 world

 

Beyond virtual church

 

Circumstances recently forced my wife and I to attend virtual church after many weeks back in physical church.

 

Our local church does a good job of presenting virtual church through the live stream of a physical service with the usual mix of songs, prayers, announcements, along with the centerpiece of the reading and preaching of Scripture. These are done well.

 

That being said, to sit in front of a screen and watch church was a big letdown. We can’t wait to be back in person next week. When virtual church was the only choice we learned to make the most of it - and I appreciate that it remains the only choice for many and that others don’t even have that luxury. However, the contrast with physical church is about the same as being fed through a gastro tube as compared with sitting with friends for a decent meal.

 

All of that led to thoughts of the possibilities when physical church is impossible.

 

Here’s a few starters.

 

1. Enhancing a virtual service by:

·       Tuning in to your local church to participate with the people you know and the leaders who know you;

·       Participating at the same time as the physical church, so as to have a shared sense of time, if not place;

·       Removing all devices other than the one used for the service and not flipping between functions on that device;

·       Accessing the virtual service on a large screen (rather than a phone);

·       Accessing the service with others from your household (rather than going solo);

·       Dressing in normal clothes and sitting in an undistracted place (as compared with couch slouching in pjs with brekkie in hand – letting alone imitating a friend who has a coffee and croissant to hand!);

·       Engaging with the prayers from our heart;

·       Opening our Bible and following the Scripture reading and sermon;

·       Singing aloud to the songs (an advantage of virtual over physical church in these restricted times);

·       Talking about the gathering afterwards with someone who also attended.

 

2. Constructing a blended mode service - either with family or church friends

·       In this mode, you do your own prayers, Bible reading and songs, but access the sermon through virtual means, thus giving a combination of face to face fellowship and skilled word ministry;

·       Different people among those present can serve the group by doing different parts of this;

·       I know a church that does this through its small groups where group leaders are given liturgical resources. They even practice the Lord’s Supper in these home-based settings.

 

3. Full-on home worship

·       Many Christians globally and historically, have this as their only option – it’s an old habit that may be in for a revival;

·       Construct a service with the usual elements of prayer, song and word ministry, according to the resources within you or available from outside sources. (Producing resources for home and family worship could be a great activity for wider church agencies);

·       Try and do this in a corporate setting, whether that is family, or even one other Christian friend;

·       The quality of this may be less than a virtual service (or a word ministry delivered by a trained person), but it has the advantage of reality to persons and context.

 

Whatever the option, the local church can give support by:

·       - Providing resources to help with blended or full-on home worship

·      -  Some leaders periodically watching the virtual service from a home base, to see how it comes over and can be improved;

·       - Keeping in touch with people not at physical church through regular contact. One church I know rang its members every fortnight when they could not physically attend, and the pastor of a small church rings every member every week.

 

One way or another, the effort to maintain the habit of a Sunday meeting with the Lord and his people is vital (Heb 10:25). This is where the means of grace (word, prayer, sacraments and fellowship) are found. This is where we are taught, trained, corrected and challenged as we grow in discipleship and service to be the people that the Lord calls us to be (2 Tim 3:15-17). This meeting with the Lord and his people is to our soul as food is to the body.

On going to the gym (temporal and eternal)

 

Going to the gym (temporal and eternal)

 

Rather train yourself to be godly. ⁸ For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. ⁹ This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. ¹⁰ That is why we labour and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Saviour of all people, and especially of those who believe. (1 Tim 4:7b-10)

 

As part of a physiotherapy programme arising from an injury, I have signed up for a local gym. Off I go almost every day for about an hour of various prescribed and voluntary activities. It costs time and money and, sometimes leaves me tired. It’s not always convenient to break the day’s activities and get there. But I go anyway.

 

Why go to a gym? In my case there is a mix of remedial and preventative aspects. Particular exercises help remedy the effects of the injury, some surgery and a lengthy period of relative immobilisation. Other exercises build strength, flexibility and endurance in the affected bodily parts and in my body generally.

 

The benefits are related to the motivations. After some months of physio and gym my body is returning well towards the pre-injury benchmark. I also have a much-increased level of fitness and general health which brings greater pleasure to life. It also opens new possibilities in what I can do, as against the alternative of letting injury and aging restrict me. As a result, I confidently expect to be physically fit to resume my pre-injury activities, including travel to physically challenging countries for ministry activities.

 

Nonetheless, this has a finite end. Whether through it another injury, illness or just aging, my body will hit a point where incapacity, frailty and finally death ends its strength.

 

So, even as I pay the monthly gym fee and head out to toil and sweat for the daily hour or so, there is an end to this. There’s a certain futility. All I am doing is buying time.

 

As Paul says, bodily exercise is of some value and, we might add, for some time. Its value is limited and temporal.

 

By contrast, a trip to God’s gym for training in godliness is of value in every way – both on a temporal horizon and for the life to come. As Paul also says, it’s worth the effort because my hope is set on the living God and the life that is in him.

 

There is no big secret in the equipment and routines of God’s gym. Its equipment is the means of grace such as Bible, prayer, sacraments and Christian fellowship. Its routines are to use these things on a regular and dedicated basis.

 

And of course, the parallels between the two gyms continue. The physiotherapist has taught be to be aware of pain and stress signs in my body and attend to them. Likewise with the soul. What are the signs of a soul in trouble that need attention? Again, having a skilled physiotherapist to direct my bodily exercises adds great value to them.  Likewise for having an accountability partner, coach or mentor in soul care.

 

Here’s the point. I invest daily time, money and effort at the gym from my motivations and for the expected benefit. If I do that for the temporary and limited benefits arising from gym, what investment is apt for God’s gym?

On (virtually) going to church

 

On (virtually) going to church

 

As happened with many, my local church closed its doors and went to a fully virtual mode for several weeks to help lessen the spread of Covid-19. And so, my wife and I sat in front of a screen with other family members in their nearby home. It was better than nothing.

 

With delight we returned to physical church some weeks back, with a video feed for those unable to attend. Social distancing replaced handshakes and hugs. The harsh perfume of hand sanitiser rose like incense. Masking-up meant that people smiled only with their eyes. Even so, to be with our church family in a familiar place whose walls enshrine heritage was wonderful. It is indeed good not to be alone and we yearn for the companionship of others bearing the image of our maker who is Trinity in relationship.

 

More recently, circumstances sometimes prevented physical attendance or even from doing virtual church in company. Instead I sat, with solitude, in front of a screen. I was reminded that I am made for God and that he is for me in Christ and his Spirit. The Bible was well explained, illustrated and applied and that is good for me. And of course, private and family acts of devotion can supplement the screen and nourish the soul and our social identity. Still, something was missing.

 

Virtually watching church in solitude is not the same as going to church. For church is inherently social - a gathering of God’s people to him through the Son and in the Spirit.

 

And so, I will engage with virtual church when that is all that circumstances permit. (And I am mindful that this is all that some can do and that others cannot even do this.) But, when it is possible, I will be there with real presence, for that is better by far.