I love action movies. The plots are usually some version of this: you have the protagonist who is seemingly not “hero” material for some reason or another, the villain who was an average person who went “bad” for some reason or another, the unlikely hero rises to defeat the villain, a battle ensues, and just when it looks like the hero will be overtaken there is a shift, our hero gathers strength, a secret weapon appears, and the villain is conquered. *everybody cheers*. My theory is that the reason so many people love these types of movies is that we are able to put ourselves in the shoes of the protagonist and be the hero in our minds, at least that’s what I do.
A couple nights ago my team decided to have a movie night; we watched “King Arthur- Legend of the Sword”. The basic plot of the movie follows the typical “action” genre. But as I watched, I realized that I really could relate to this protagonist. In fact, we all can.
Before he is king, Arthur’s power hungry uncle, Vortigern, murders his father and young Arthur is sent to live in the streets, unaware of his birthright as future king. A prophecy arises that there is a magical sword, Excalibur, penetrating a large stone, unable to be removed by anyone but the true heir, the son of Uther Pendragon. When Arthur is an adult, he is taken with a group of men to try to pull the stone out of the stone. When he succeeds, he is faced with the reality of his identity as the heir to the throne.
When we don’t know our identity, we are defined by the people and circumstances around us. Arthur began to take on the identity of a street boy, he picked fights and got into trouble. We’re the same way, allowing our social groups and relationships to define who we are, and then acting in that identity. When Arthur pulls the sword from the stone, he realizes who he really is- the son of the king, an heir to the throne. It changed everything. When we know our true identity, our perception is shifted.
In one of the last scenes, Arthur is fighting the demonic form of his uncle, and is seemingly overtaken. He has a vision of his father in that moment, and Uther says these words: “the sword is yours, take it.” Equipped with the power of Excalibur, Arther slays the demonic form of his uncle.
Arthur knew he was the rightful heir to the throne, but as he tried to defeat Vortigern in his own power, he was still overtaken. I know my identity, as a daughter of the King destined to overcome and conquer. But I often get overtaken when I fight by myself. The Bible refers to the Holy Spirit as a sword (Eph 6:17). As His children, God offers us this sword to wield against the enemy. All we have to do, as Uther said to Arthur, is take it- it’s already ours. I know so many people, and so many times I’m this person, who wear themselves out fighting by themselves. Bloodying up fists and still being thrown down again and again by self hatred, depression, fear, anxiety, comparison, sickness, lies that they are worthless, or not enough, or unredeemable.
Uther didn’t shove the sword in Arthurs hand, it’s still a choice. When Arthur chooses to grab the sword from his father, the fight changes. The upper hand belongs to the person with the weapon that is destined to conquer. Vortigern had power, but Arthur took the sword.
Hear me- you can take the sword.
How are you identifying yourself? In a fractured social group? In accomplishments that will never be enough? In a person that doesn’t have an identity themselves? Or in the confidence that you were created whole and complete? That you have traits no one else has, and it makes you an individual, unique and set apart. Most importantly, are you living in the identity that God offers you a sword, and all you have to do is take it?
I’ve been learning everyday a new way that I am an individual, learning how to wield that sword and take back areas of my identity that I have given to other people. The more I learn about the power of that sword (aka the Holy Spirit), the more in awe I am that it is offered to us so freely to take and use.
Like any powerful weapon, you can train and learn how to maximize it’s power. You can learn more about it and start to know it. And when the enemy comes at you, you can take it and start swinging.
