I have no fear of death; only a queer elation … I would have it no other way. The universe is so vast and so ageless that the life of one man can only be justified by the measure of his sacrifice. We are sent to this world to acquire a personality and a character to take with us that can never be taken from us. Those who just eat and sleep, prosper and procreate, are no better than animals if all their lives they are at peace. ( An Airman’s Letter to His Mother)
A year ago, my church in Texas did a men’s group study of “Wild At Heart” by John Eldredge. True to form, I assumed that since we were watching the accompanying videos that I didn’t need to ACTUALLY read the book. Nevertheless, God’s timing is perfect and it made its way into my life again, despite my best bone-headedness.
There was one line in the book which I wanted to share with you because of its deep profoundness.
“Deep in his heart, every man longs for a battle to fight, an adventure to live, and a beauty to rescue.”
First, this struck me by its truth in my life. Secondly, this struck me by its truth about God. Throughout the Bible and history God has demonstrated His desire for adventure, for battle, and for a beauty to rescue.
God gave Adam and Eve the option to mess up His plan. Adventure
God will return with a robe dipped in blood. Battle
God’s love and redemptive plan for us. A beauty to rescue.
This created quite a conundrum for me. As I explained to my team, I gave up my desire for battle and most adventure when I abandoned dreams of the military. I assumed that these desires were the impetuousness of youth and weren’t Godly desires so I have tried to put them aside but I haven’t been able to run fast enough to escape them. This view of God’s character and my role as His creation and adopted Son has clarified so much and I now feel free to walk and pursue the person God designed me to be.
There’s one more part….a beauty to rescue.
I assume I’m not the only one who feels this way but… I’m not a beauty and I don’t need rescuing!
-And that, michael, is the crux of the issue.
God desires a beauty to rescue, as well as a battle to fight and an adventure to live.
I am that beauty that God desires to rescue, and He wants to fight for me. Much as I want to do it myself, not only can I not succeed on my own, but I’m denying God of His very plan for creation by refusing to acknowledge Him as such.
So, how do I go about this? How do I take God’s heart of battle, adventure, and beauty which He has given me to act upon, but also recognize that I am the recipient of that?
-Ah my son, your lessons have just begun.
