In response to Sacrificing for Life, CrossBearer asks, “Why should a woman sacrifice herself if she was raped? It wasn’t her fault.”
It never is.
Yet the question of sacrifice arises elsewhere. One could also ask, “why should a prisoner sacrifice himself if he is falsely accused.” There is injustice everywhere in the world. As such, the question goes beyond rape. Indeed, one must go deeper to understand the value of sacrifice in the face of great injustice.
Here, sacrifice should not be confused with “submission”. Submission to injustice only allows it to breed more pain, more suffering, and more resentment. Submission signals defeat, and is often the result of a lack of hope. Injustice often counts on submission as a reliable co-conspirator, using it to coax people into a frozen state of fear, hate, and–worst of all–inaction.
Instead, sacrifice allows one to continue growing despite the world’s indiscriminate prejudice. It must be oriented toward God as an offering. If not, one’s sufferings are in vain and done only to glorify victimhood. Sacrifice for the glory of God, however, puts us on the path toward sainthood. Through this holy sacrifice, one is able to overcome ego and self-pity, casting them off like seamen cast off unnecessary cargo from a sinking ship. Sacrifice not only keeps us afloat, it allows God to propel us through the storm.
The key to sacrifice is forgiveness. It sets us free from delusions of retribution and vengeance. Forgiveness reconciles us to our oppressors and often leads to their rehabilitation and conversion. Thus, injustice becomes an opportunity for growth. That is why our Lord does not call the equipped, but equips those He has called in order to give greater glory to God. Cf. John 11:4.
With regard to rape, some women vow not to let their attackers ruin their lives. In 2004, Anne Heck decided to forgive her attacker 14 years after she had been raped. During that time, she chose to moved on with her life. Mrs. Heck took self-defense classes, counseled other rape victims, and started a family. She said that while the rapist had caused her years of pain and fear, she had forgiven him because that was the only way she could improve her own life.
Alternatively, some men also face immense injustice in rape cases. In 1985, Willie “Pete” Williams was falsely accused of rape, kidnapping and aggravated sodomy. Once imprisoned, he fought a painful struggle against anger, bitterness, and depression for 10 years. Then, Mr. Williams turned his suffering over to Jesus Christ. Afterward, he felt renewed by hope and ready to forgive those who had worked to confine him. Upon his exonaration in 2007, all marvelled when he forgave the woman who falsely accused him and assured her that he was not bitter. He had moved on 12 years before the criminal justice system and was rewarded with 12 years of freedom within those prison walls for his sacrifice.
No one deserves to be falsely imprisoned, but it happens all the time. No one deserves to be raped, yet women are terrorized by it. People who encounter immense suffering have a choice. They can submit and let bitterness harden their hearts. Or, they can give it up to God, letting Him empower, strengthen, and renew them. Like a farmer who refuses to plants his seeds, people who refuse to offer up their sufferings will only be left with seeds of hate upon their death. The one who humbly offers up his pain perseveres to the end and reaps a great harvest. After all, only the Lord knows how to take great suffering and turn it into healing love.
So let Him.
Tags: Anne Heck · crossbearer · false imprisonment · Forgiveness · injustice · Jesus Christ · John · rape · sacrifice · submission · suffering · Willie "Pete" Williams
