Over the last few months, I’ve watched the Lord of the Rings Trilogy
(extended edition!) with some of my friends on our team here. In the last movie, Return of the King, I
found tears in my eyes…during the battle scenes! Not your typical teary-eyed moment,
right? But I’ve noted that both in this
and some other movies with epic clashes of good and evil, something deep in my
soul is stirred up. Often it leaves me
teary as I watch the battle unfold.
Why is this? Why am I crying when Mordor comes to battle the realm
of man, dwarf, elf, hobbits, and all things not evil? Or when Peter and Lucy
and Susan prepare to face the White Witch’s evil forces, why am I on the edge
of my seat every time, inspired, emotional? It’s just a movie right? Maybe yes.
But, I think it’s also a moving depiction of the reality of life as a
believer. I think there’s something in
all of us, Christ-follower or not, that stirs up to fight for those we love and
for what we hold dear. Some place in
each of us longs for this epic life, be it battle, adventure, discovery, or
some other epic tale, our hearts stir up as we read and watch mighty stories
unfold.
As I watched the battle for Middle Earth unfold onscreen, I found myself
cheering for the men and the hobbits, the side of the good guys, urging them
on. My heart was reminded of truth:
though evil may seem to prevail, may
seem impossible to surmount and certain to defeat us, it will flee and run in the
face of good men who stand and fight for a cause beyond
themselves. It’s not about self or survival in this moment, it’s about laying
down your own life for the sake of many others and for the battle against
evil. It’s about fighting for the
preservation of the kingdom and of lives against the darkness that wants to
destroy all light. It’s about the
ultimate story of good vs. evil.
Ultimately, all evil will be destroyed. King Jesus has already conquered sin and
death, yet for a season he allows the “prince of the air” to have some leeway
in this world…because He knows it will ultimately bring MORE glory. Sometimes – many times – it’s hard to see and
understand that in the midst of battling the darkness. It’s not often easy to see how He will turn
our weeping and mourning into dancing and singing. But I know He will, for He is faithful and
good, true to His word and His people. And you know what else? We know the end of the
story. It’s right there in Revelation,
and it’s hinted at all over the place throughout the Bible. The King will return and he WILL have the victory. He is raising up His people now and He will
be faithful to His own and lead them on to victory and eternity.
So for now, we’re called to fight the good fight. To arm ourselves with the whole armor of God
and not back down. It is worth it. Every bit of the battle is worth it. Even
unto death. For, as Gandalf says to one of the hobbits, “the journey doesn't end here. Death is just another path, one that we all
must take. The grey rain-curtain of this world rolls back, and all turns to
silver glass, and then you see it….White shores, and beyond, a far green
country under a swift sunrise.” There’s more
than what we see friends. And even should we battle unto death (for we all will
one day), it is not the end. There’s so
much more beyond the shores.
In the midst of a heavy season, where we are
seeing some major spiritual warfare here in this community, this movie and
these truths bring great comfort to me. These
pictures of spiritual reality seem even more poignant. Some days the darkness
is almost tangible here. It presses hard
against the light that Christ is growing.
My heart and mind weigh heavy some days and weeks from this. We have been doing battle, and it is
continuing. Thankfully, the Lord has given me these beautiful depictions of
truth recently. He’s reminded me to hold
on, to stand firm, and to fight. For, oh,
dear ones, it is worth it. Through the
battle, the respite, and every place between here and eternity’s shore, holding
onto and fighting for the Word of Life is worthy of my everything.
The cry of Aragorn, the returning king, in the face of the last battle, one that seems
sure to be an incredible loss, keeps bringing me great comfort:
Sons of Gondor! Of Rohan! My brothers! I see in your eyes the
same fear that would take the heart of me! A day may come when the courage of
men fails, when we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship. But
it is not this day. An hour of wolves and shattered shields when the age of Men
comes crashing down! But it is not this day! This day we fight! By all that you
hold dear on this good Earth, I bid you stand!
From this warrior, may each of you be strengthened and encouraged as
you stand to fight, whatever your battle is. Maybe go watch one of these epics
and let the beautiful, poignant truth speak deeply. What we see here and now is not the end. There is indeed an epic battle being waged,
and I am blown away that I am on the side of the Victorious One, by His grace
alone. The battle is real, and it may
wear you out, but you will not be defeated friends, if you are following the One who leads us. Carry on.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put
on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s
schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the
rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and
against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on
the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to
stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. – Ephesians 6:10-18
2 comments:
Hi Sarah, you don't know me, but I know Lauren & Derek. I just read your beautifully written piece " I bid you stand", what an awesome encouragement for the Church at such a time as this! I hope it's okay for me to post your piece on my FB page to encourage others. I'm praying for the team. Would you please give Lauren a big hug for me!
In Christ,
Theresa Davis
Theresa,
Thank you so much! You are absolutely welcome to share this. I'll make sure and give a huge hug to Lauren for you!
Sarah
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