Betrayal

"One should rather die than be betrayed. There is no deceit in death. It delivers precisely what it has promised. Betrayal, though ... betrayal is the willful slaughter of hope."
- Steven Deitz

Betrayal…That’s what I had felt since facing this struggle at work. She was one of my immediate supervisor at night. I fully trusted her and I poured out my heartaches after I was told some discriminatory remarks. I blamed myself. Out of pain and anger, I let my emotions be poured out in front of her. She never offered help. But that morning, I saw her took another supervisor to their designated office and only God knew what conversation occurred.

That person she talked to pulled me aside in the middle of my work. She had mentioned the same things, the same exact discriminatory words I shared with the other. I knew it was an opportunity for her to trap me knowing how that was her favorite thing to do: to cause harm and commit ill intentions among those who had gone their way and chose to just quit and exit as a quick escape from their intimidations.

One accusation became big. They were forcing me to do what they wanted, disregarding facts I had given them. Disregarding supporting documents given them. They tried everything in a subtle way. All acts, all words thrown at me to make me resign.

I haven’t…And I knew they haven't stopped planning other devises to cause my termination.

I haven’t done anything wrong. I had worked the same way I had performed on day one: work hard and give my all…

Betrayal hurts…They think that by doing so, they will make me paralyzed and not be able to do anything. But all actions have consequences. How do you battle lies but with truth? How do you get rid of bullies but to face them and not turn your back away? How do you avoid poison and deceptive plans but by being careful of what is being offered every time?

This morning, I woke up and thought about Judas. Why did he betray Jesus when he was one of his disciples? He must have seen his miracles. He must have heard Jesus’ divine wisdom. He must have seen his unfathomable acts of forgiveness, understanding, compassion and love. But why did he sell Jesus for 30 pieces of silver? If his love was for the money, then he must not love Jesus at all. He must not have believed completely in Jesus’ divinity. 

 “INRI…” It was placed up on the cross. Meaning “Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum”…”Jesus of Nazareth, the King of Jews”…

People placed titles on the head of the cross to show the crime that crucified person committed and his name. That was an accusation they placed on Jesus’ cross. It was the crime they accused Jesus of. But in reality, that was the absolute truth!

I look at this road up ahead. Right now, I’m on a standstill. People I work with are also part of law enforcement. Ironically, they are not afraid to break the law…

I knew Who walked on this road before. He walked carrying a heavy cross as He bled while many spat on Him and wanted Him dead. Judas was wrong! People were wrong! They did not cause Jesus to die! It was already planned because God loves us all. Jesus endured and died on the cross so we may live.

He walked before us. He’s inviting us to “follow Him…” Let’s not betray Him…