Where are the Champions among the Scapegoaters?
In the Bible, the Jewish chief priest had symbolically laid the sins of the people upon it a goat which is then sent into the wilderness bearing the sins of a nation. (Lev. 16). The term scapegoat is now used to describe a person who is blamed for the wrongdoings, mistakes, or faults of others, especially for reasons of expediency. A scapegoater is one who blames others for the way things are.
A Champion is one who takes responsibility for the actions of others and willingly puts their welfare at risk for the sake of others.
In the Bible, the Philistines sent up their champion Goliath against the young shepherd David who had a sling, some rocks in a pouch and his God in his corner. David proved to be the champion that day when he slew Goliath. (1 Samuel 17)
Champions come in all categories. You can champion for a cause meaning you act and speak for the benefit of others. You're a champion if your vocation requires you to don medical scrubs or a grocery clerk's apron, a police's uniform, a fireman's suit or a soldier's fatigues and yes even a clerical collar or robe. Champions are great and small, extraordinary and just-ordinary! Champions are leaders who do not seek out the most expeditious path forward but whose actions become inspirational drawing out the best in themselves and others.
There is a lot of scapegoating going about as folks attempt to get to who is to blame for the Covid19 pandemic. Did it occur naturally or in a lab? Were precautions disseminated openly enough? Where were the test swabs and why don't we have a vaccine? For requiring us to stay isolated and not make an income. For permitting people to open up their businesses or for relaxing mandated isolation.
It's time to look for the champions among the legions of scapegoaters. What is to blame? A coronavirus that is designated as COVID-19. It has no mind or malintent. It replicates efficiently in our bodies and is capable to overwhelm our body's defenses particularly among the most vulnerable and at risk persons. In many ways it is the current champion of virus and we need our own champion to step up and take responsibility and willingly act without self interest.
To champion or to scapegoat are choices we make by our actions and our words. Let us not seek to lay blame on others for doing so abdicates our opportunity to be champions.
