The rules of roller derby clearly state reasons for expulsion from gameplay: “Fighting… A Skater who only defends blows and does not engage in the fight will not be penalized.”
I don’t know if Jesus laced up His skates and hit the track like I do, but He says the same thing:
“If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.” Matthew 5:39
I’ve never been physically assaulted on or off the derby track, but I sure have been hurt and assaulted emotionally by others. In Bible times a slap was culturally known to mean a deep insult to someone. Jesus isn’t saying not to fight against a physical attack. If someone is beating you with a bat I don’t think you just lie down and say “Go ahead!” Turning the cheek doesn’t mean you allow yourself to be physically assaulted, or that you become a victim or a doormat.
Turning the cheek simply means: we don’t fight back. We don’t do evil for evil, we don’t hold a grudge, and we don’t avenge ourselves. It’s not a “fight” until the second blow. Think about that. It isn’t a fight without two parties involved.
When we are emotionally injured we have an opportunity to not strike back. To not fight, to not inflict injury, rather we show God’s love through forgiveness. The forgiveness of one injury may prevent another injury from them. But if we avenge ourselves we will no doubt draw another injury to ourselves. It goes like this: They strike, we strike, they strike, we strike…it can turn into an endless cycle.
Break the cycle.
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Written by: Dayspring Boldt Broxton