Brutal Reality

This week's Torah Portion, Mishpatim מִּשְׁפָּטִים (Judgements), talks about the harsh realities of this fallen world. I hear people use some of these verses to attempt to discredit scriptures and Adonai. They think that because HaShem addresses things like slavery and rape that the book also somehow condones it. I believe that this actually adds credibility to the Creator's plan of addressing sin. Adonai doesn't turn a blind eye to all the injustices happening in the world. Instead, He speaks about them head-on and tells His chosen people how to deal with them when they happen. Speaking about an issue is not the same as endorsing it, and sure He could have just said, "Do not rape," however knowing that it would still happen that wouldn't have helped the victims one bit. Instead, He gave clear instructions on what the people would need to do to guarantee that the victims were given justice. He spoke about judgments on these acts rather than simply saying don't do them.

What I thought about while reading them was something so completely different, but totally relevant. I'm not sure why, but I kept remembering the movie "8 Mile": a movie where the protagonist faced so many harsh realities that it prompted him to act. The movie's format was so raw that many Christians would condemn someone from watching it. It contains foul language, sexuality, violence, and peer pressure. Everything we are supposed to avoid when selecting a form of entertainment. Still, those who watched it probably felt somewhat inspired. The movie doesn't condemn or approve of all the events that take place, it simply shows them as they are. That is probably why so many people can relate. Life is complicated and messy, and though we should avoid negativity, we still know it occurs and have all somehow been affected by it. That is why we resonate with "Jimmy" and feel some type of redemption when he overcomes all these obstacles and comes out on top. Like Jimmy, we want to overcome some of the injustices life throws our way. However, just like Jimmy, we need to take action. You see, in that movie, the main character was pushed down over and over with negative events in his life. He was betrayed, literally beaten, and bullied to his breaking point. And it was that breaking point that prompted him to act. This portion of the scripture somewhat parallels this. Adonai is saying, that when these bad things occur, this is how you are to act. Just like this movie, He is not ignoring it, but he is also not condoning it. He is simply showing life as it is: broken and fragile. This is why I believe the Scriptures are inspired by the Spirit: It doesn't hide the flaws of the protagonists but addresses them and speaks about bringing justice to the victims.

Sometimes we need to take a leap of faith.

The lesson I gathered from these two things that I'd like to pass on is this: What will life need to throw at you before you decide to take action? Jimmy saw a major shift in his life when he decided to take bold actions to solve his problem. Though the movie's conclusion wasn't that life-altering, we got a sense that things were going to change in his life from that moment forward. It was as if we were taken on a ride alongside him and experienced a sort of maturing process about how to act in those situations. He learned that life wasn't feeling sorry for him and that the only way he could overcome it was to face it head-on and do the right thing no matter the cost. The same is true for each one of us. When we stop looking at our circumstances with a victim mentality and begin to address them by taking bold action, we are not likely to experience victory or a breakthrough. Like the Scriptures, this week, I'm trying to be practical. Things are happening in my life that aren't so pretty. They are messy and unfair. My choices on how to deal with them do not change. I can either feel sorry for myself and dwell in them or I can move forward with boldness and attempt to resolve them.

I'm going to ask some basic questions that will hopefully inspire you to also act. When are you going to admit that your marriage is not where it should be? What will it take to push you to the point of action? The point where you think, "Either this is going to change or I am." Are you unhappy with your job? When are you going to make bold moves to position yourself where you can improve your career? What will it take for you to make a bold move and improve your skills to get a better job? If you are dealing with health issues like I am. When will you resolve to improve your diet and exercise routine to improve your situation? Or seek professional help to assist you in overcoming your problem? Think about a situation in your life that has you feeling exhausted and defeated and see if there is anything you can do to change it. The brutal truth is that sometimes there is nothing you can do short of praying and pleading for a miracle, but more often than not there is something you can do or change. That is the challenge this week: To ponder and reflect on your own life and take a bold step to change its trajectory. Don't focus on what you cannot change, but on what you can and should change.

I really like the wisdom in this serenity prayer that is often incorporated into rehab groups. It works regardless of your faith or background and it states, "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." It is bold and ingenious. The key though is courage. There are things in your life that will only change when you take action. God will help you, but won't do them for you. So my prayer is this: That you feel empowered to do the right thing even if the wrong thing is happening to you. Shavuah Tov Ve'Shalom. I love you all and I'm walking this path alongside you. Life isn't always fair, but with God and your own strength, we can overcome it.