The Epic Life

 

What makes a good story? Let’s break it down. Number one: there is the protagonist. The hero. The good. Usually, they’re not anyone special that would stand out in the crowd. They’re just ordinary men and women…until they find themselves thrown into an adventure. Number two: if there’s a protagonist, then there’s an antagonist. The villian. The evil. They’re always trying to steal or kill or destroy. So here we have good versus evil. There’s no adventure without conflict, without our hero fighting for the good of something, for the betterment of mankind. Where would Frodo be without Mordor? Or Maximus without Caesar? Or Neo without The Smiths? There’d be no story. Adventure is not always fun and glory. That’s only one side of it. The other side is the pain, the breaking, the unknown, the sacrifices. You can’t desire to live an adventure without taking the whole package. When our hero goes through his trials and sacrifices, and when he faces his fears, we love him more. When he is faced with the unknown ahead while all he’s ever known lies behind, but chooses to go on, we love him more. When he doesn’t think he has what it takes and doesn’t think he’s brave enough or strong enough or smart enough, yet comes alive in the heart of the battle, we love him more. We see all the things he had to go through to reach his victory over evil. And good always triumphs over evil. There’s pain, losses, gains, battles, victories, tears, joy, laughter, encounters with death and the overcoming of it. These are the things that steal our breath, melt our hearts and stir the adventure inside all of us.

 

Yes, there’s adventure inside you. Did you know? Why else would these epic stories speak to us so loudly and deeply? It’s because these stories call out to the very story waiting to be awakened in us. Don’t you know of the adventure that waits for you? All that you are seeking is also seeking you. It has been waiting for you for a long time.

 

There’s evil to be fought, prisoners to rescue, love to be found, victories to be had. This is the life Jesus has for us. It’s the ultimate adventure, the true epic life. This world needs you.Will there be battles? Always. Will there be losses? Many. Will there be sacrifices? Everyday. Will there be unknown? Undoubtedly. You can’t ask God to reveal what He chooses to keep hidden from you.Where’s the adventure if you know what’s around every bend? But will there be love? Absolutely. Will there be joy? Surely. Will there be life? Abundantly. Will there be victories? Endlessly. Because we all know….good always triumphs over evil. That’s how a good story always ends. And Jesus only ever writes good stories. Do you have what it takes? More than enough. Just when you think you’ve given your all, when you think you’ve got nothing left, when you don’t think you’re brave enough or strong enough or smart enough…that’s the moment you’ll come alive and win. Just like our hero.

 

So what are you waiting for? Adventure waits for you. You don’t have to go search for it. Adventure can be found right where you are. Answer the call. Answer the whisper. You were made to live the epic life. Go live it! Jesus is waiting. Life is waiting. Live the adventure.