Lovers and Fighters…Compelled.
I was watching the film Braveheart again the other day, for about the twelfth time or so, and with great movies as these, it seems almost every viewing reveals some new truths or perspective you hadn’t picked up on before. Now it’s obvious to most of us that Wallace is portrayed as a great warrior and fearless leader, but maybe to not as many of us that he didn’t really want to fight, and to lead the charge for Scotland’s freedom. He just wanted to raise a family and his crops, as he stated his intentions to those trying to enlist him in revolt, upon returning to his homeland as a man.
So what was it that made him a fierce fighter? What compelled him to battle? It was love. When his new bride Murron, the love of his life, was murdered by the English Lord to lure him into capture, something dramatically changed in Wallace. He then had a cause. He then saw a reason to fight. And fight he did, a fierce and savage warrior, inspiring courage and heart in his band of followers. He fought for Scotland’s freedom, and for the honor of his true love Murron til his dying breath.
Both men and woman of all ages and walks of life love this story, possibly the woman more for the romantic aspects and the men for the courageous and noble sides of the story. But what makes the story so endearing to our hearts, is that it unifies these powerful themes. Wallace fought savagely because he loved fiercely, and people all over the world find that irressistable in a story. This may be just the first part of a series I hope to write here on the theme ‘Lovers And Fighters’.
God too, without doubt is renowned in His Word as a lover and fighter… of course He’s the ulimate lover and fighter. There is evidence of this from cover to cover but just for starters, John 3:16, that most famous of scripture verses, relates that God so loved the world, He gave his only Son. Exodus 15:3 tells us that the Lord is a warrior. Besides these short and ’to the point’ references, there are hundreds more stories and accounts in His Word that portray Him in this light. Psalm 45 is one of my favorite chapters where again, these two themes are beautifully intertwined.
God isn’t just big and tough and likes to kick butt to show everybody who’s in charge around here. I believe God is fighting for us, his beloved. He is at war for the hearts of mankind, his creation. He so loves us all that He has literally moved heaven and earth to win us back. His love compells him to fight. And make no mistake, there is a ferocious war going on even today, for the hearts of all people. The kingdom of God warring against the kingdom of darkness (whereby we’ve been rescued, those who have faith in Christ, God’s Son. Colossians 1:13), two invisable forces fighting to the death over you and I.
As his people, we are compelled to also fight, compelled by love…our love for God and our love for those He loves, all peoples. We fight for the heart of our great King Jesus, and we join him in fighting for the hearts of mankind. Christ’s love compells us (2 Corinthians 5:14). Let us become His lovers and fighters. More to follow.
Time for us to be lovers and fighters too if we are to imitate our Father. how far are we prepared to go to follow? Certainly we have fallen asleep cos how much do we make it a priority in our day to day lives to make Christ known? Do people ask us what is different … not often. As we see in Braveheart we have a ruthless, conniving enemy so cant pussyfoot around, we need to gang together with bros and sis face the enemy. Certainly lots of hidden meaning in the story for us to learn from.
IKW said this on April 3, 2010 at 8:30 am