Epic sacrifice…
We speak often of the epic, a mystic tale of heroism and glory. Men desire to be the protagonist, women long to be the desired, history makes literary altars to the greatest epics of all. Yet, when it comes down to it, very few truly understand what it takes to embark on the journey towards an epic life and what they would find if they did.
The door in is not easily recognized, but once inside the epic is made to be simple in its effectiveness and beauty. Find one thing, one ideal or injustice or revelation, and put all of your energy into the pursuit of it – to the point of sacrificing everything.
Sacrifice. We adore it in others, wish we could give of it ourselves, but cower in the corner when it is truly required of us. There was a time when the ideal was everything. What you thought of the meaning of the universe, or love, or life was to be the foundation of your kingdom. Life was epic. But somewhere, someone got the idea that the rebellion against an idea was the most epic thought to think. No longer was the pursuit of absolute truth the challenge, but only the denial of all truths as false. We began to adore men not for what they believed about life and justice and love, but what they recognized as being wrong with it. When these same men – men of courage, valor, and sacrifice – began to act out on their “heresy”, the critics were quick to cry “Crucify.”
Then came an even greater evil – the power of media. Now it no longer mattered what the overarching themes and ideals and dreams of the majority of the world might be. As long as a few men with the power to put their ideas into print could do so with authority, no one could question that what they said was truth. We began to place democratic power into the hands of dictators – we claimed to have chosen our captors. The hands of time kept ticking, and with them the punishments of the “heretics.” The keepers of the epic were still alive and strong, but they began to be ostracized for their heroism. If we silence the desire to pursue, the disciples of the Epic will be lost in the dark.
It is this idea which you and I must pursue and understand within our love through Christ. The epic must be played out and retold, and each of us has a part to tell. It will cost us everything in this world – the best stories are not safe until the end – but the Reward is so very sweet.
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. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. – Apostle Paul (Ephesians 6)
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