Remember John the Baptist, The Prisoner in the Third Cell

Christian storyteller Gene Edwards writes about John the Baptist in his book "The Prisoner in the Third Cell".

With simple English, Edwards effectively conveys the life and thoughts of John the Nazarite juxtaposed with the thoughts and prayers of his cousin Jesus during the crucial moments.

The following are excerpts from different chapters in Edward's story book that so powerfully reminded me of the call that the Lord may have on a few and to not be offended by him when things don't happen the way one would have expected of him or others. 

The thoughts of Jesus towards his cousin John when the latter was imprisoned and awaiting his death ...
You will never live to see your thirty-third birthday, nor will you know exactly why I have called you. Nor will you know if your life on this earth counted for anything. Those long years in the searing desert, you denied yourself of everything this earth affords except food and water, and only enough of that to keep you alive. You did this all for me. Yet, as you face death, there is no evidence that your life was anything but wasted. Have I forsaken you in the hour you need me most?

"And blessed are you,

if you are not offended with me"

Despite John's seeming immaculate life of devotion to his Lord, the Lord was silent during John's time of suffering and despair.

Today you are resentful of those who so callously hurt you. But no, not really. The truth is you are angry with God because, ultimately, you are not dealing with men, you are dealing with the sovereign hand of your Lord. Behind all events, behind all things, there is always His sovereign hand. 


Will you follow a God you do not understand? Will you follow a God who does not live up to your expectations?


Your Lord has put something in your life which you cannot bear. The burden is simply too great. He was never supposed to do this! 


That God should allow John the Baptist to be beheaded in response to Herodias (Herod's second wife) as entertainment for Herod and his guests in spite of John having lived a life completely devoted to God.


But the question remains, "Will you continue to follow this God who did not live up to your expectations?"

"And blessed are you 

if you are not offended with me"

If we were never to understand why life circumstances are the way they are or if life seems utterly disappointing, unfair, or just completely against what you believe or expect in your pursuit of truth, righteousness and justice ... that we would never take offense or walk away from living the life he has called us to - one of trust in Him and obedience to His bidding in every way. 

For in doing this, we abandon ourselves to worship him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength.

Forgetting what lies behind is a necessary progression

You're a bird who's been in a cage all your life, and suddenly all the walls are gone, and you're in the wide open. You're so afraid you're looking for any way back into the cage again. Whatever you choose to think now, it's not safer there. Even if you tried to go back now, I don't think you could survive that way again. 

- Michael Hosea to his beloved wife,  who lived a life of a prostitute in Francine River's Redeeming Love 

When we were babes, we were fed with milk. As we grow, we will need solid food and exercise to gain strength in our bodies that we may learn to walk, and eventually run. And when we become adults, the motion of walking and running becomes second nature. We choose nutritious food to sustain a strong body and discipline of sorts to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

However, when tragedy strikes, why then is it that human nature punishes us with regression to the old ways? Or to remain in a wheelchair and wheel our entire life, hopes and dreams off the cliff? 

God forbid that we should go back to the old ways and not allow growth beyond the highest point of yesteryears - beyond our comfort zone.  

Should we settle with being taught the ABCs all over again - a place of familiarity and comfort - when we have tasted so much more living in the freedom of the Spirit?

Would we not allow Him to do a new thing in our lives, while being firmly grounded upon His truth and empowered by His Spirit? 

Invictus

Malaysians can learn a thing or two from watching the movie Invictus, based on the book Playing the Enemy: Nelson Mandela and the Game that Changed a Nation. The movie inspires one to extend grace to those who have mistreated us, looking beyond one's self interest in order to embrace the greater purpose of the nation, and be one nation united regardless of race, creed or color.

A key part of the movie was this inspiring poem titled "Invictus" the Latin word for unconquerable or undefeated, which encouraged Nelson Mandela to "stand when all he wanted to do was lie down" during his time in prison.  


Invictus by William Earnest Henley 

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeoning of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.


And one for the road ...