Transforming Tragedy Into Victory
While traveling in South Korea, I witnessed an amazing example of proclaiming victory in the midst of tragedy. I met a group of people who were afflicted by the horrible disease of leprosy, yet, they claimed quite a victory. Leprosy left its mark on this group of elderly people who were disfigured and blind.
Two amazing accomplishments emerged out of this tragedy. Although it took 25 years, this group memorized the entire Bible. For many Christians, simply reading through the Bible one time is an accomplishment. I actually heard them recite the book of Hebrews—in 41 minutes!
The second victory this group accomplished was forming a harmonica choir. They travel throughout Korea and raise money for children who are orphans on the streets of Seoul. Despite the fact that this group can no longer see God’s creation and they no longer see their disfigurement, these elderly adults claim the orphan children are worse off than they are.
If we have made Jesus Christ the Lord of our lives, we too can claim victory in all our circumstances-even in death. In 1 Corinthians 15:55-58, Paul describes the victory all Christians will experience when Christ returns for His people. It says:
“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
These people afflicted with leprosy had a choice to live a defeated life because of their disease or to live a victorious life in Christ in spite of their affliction. Some people view their lives with the attitude that they are just going to make the most of the rest of their lives. Instead, we should adopt the attitude that we are going to take the rest of our lives and claim it as a victory for Jesus Christ.
