What a difference perspective makes! I often wonder what Paul really meant in Romans 12:2 when he said, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Have our minds really be transformed or do we still try to conform to the world? In all of our rushing, stressing, striving, and achieving, is our mind-set on having been rescued (from our sin), or are we trapped in the victim-mentality of entitlement and discontent; conforming to the world?
In my second post on the trip to the Hovde House in Peru, I noted some observations from the girls as I watched them during our visit. I was so impressed by their attitudes! They demonstrated patience and diligence, gratitude for God’s provision, joy in their work, love and compassion to a new resident, and finally, laughter and dancing in spite of their sadness.
As usual, when many go on “mission trips” or “global outreach” opportunities, we are the ones that benefit most; we are most transformed. Our eyes are opened, our ears attentive, and our hearts softened to a greater understanding of God and His greater purpose. I am sure I will continually draw on what I experienced during this trip to bring me greater understanding of God and His purposes as well as to question why there is such disparity and incongruity in life, both here and in other parts of the world.
Solomon, in his pursuit of wisdom and understanding eventually hit a wall. He said, “[For] with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief.” (Ecclesiastes 1:18) The more Solomon saw in the world, the unending cycle of brokenness, and his inability to reconcile things as he knew they ought to be, the inequities and injustices, caused him great despair. It is much like the despair we often feel when we first witness the burden and suffering of others and feel powerless to change it. We felt that burden in Peru and still feel it today as we think back to the desperate circumstances of these young girls and those with infants born out of violation.
But Solomon didn’t stay there. In his investigation of wisdom, understanding, and the ways of the world, he began a process of elimination in which he saw all the things which promise fulfillment, but ultimately do not deliver: knowledge, pleasure, complacency, work, power, independence, advancement, even riches—most of us can agree that is our pursuit most of the time here in America. They are utterly meaningless—chasing after the wind! What he eventually understood is that we all share a common beginning and ending, that it is much better to be wise than foolish, and that our ultimate end is to revere God and keep His commandments. Sometimes, God even grants us gladness of heart to enjoy our work, our life (or lot), for it is a gift! And all of the other things, that don’t exactly add up, the injustices and brokenness, He will certainly reconcile in due time!
For now, we must learn from the example of these rescued girls to be patient. We too, must be diligent. We must practice gratitude for His provision. We must do our work joyfully and still show love and compassion to others who are hurting and help them as much as we know how. This is the renewing of our minds. This keeps us from the futility of conformation; chasing after every new wind that blows. This is moving from a place of the victim to a place of the rescued! And when the time comes, we too, the redeemed, the rescued, will dance!
The Hovde House—the House of Good Treatment, provides a safe, secure shelter for these very young victims of sexual assault and their resultant infants. Peru has the highest rate of child rape in all of South America. These young victims need a place to heal, receive medical and psychological care, love, and support. Paz y Esperanza, Peace and Hope, a partner organization sponsored by International Justice Mission, fights to bring their perpetrators to justice through the courts. If you would like more information on the Hovde House, Paz y Esperanza, or their expanding ministries, please visit: http://hovdefoundation.org/hovde-houses/huanuco-peru/
