What I'm listening to

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Robin Hood

Have you ever watched the BBC's series, Robin Hood? If you haven't, by all means don't; its incredibly addicting and you will want to watch the entire first two seasons all in one weekend. I did say want; that is not what I actually did (but close). What is so captivating about the series is how the relationships between the characters develop amidst constant battle. There is always a hanging to be stopped, a peasant to be fed, a sheriff to thwart and a merry man to be rescued. The characters of Robin, Marian, Will, Much and so on are warm and clever; but the real draw is that they are fighting for something greater than themselves ALL the time. They do not count their own lives dearly but risk everything to protect each other; they take care of everyone around them even when they are hated and treated as dust; their energy is spent doing good, waiting in anticipation for the king's return and keeping the people alive until then. They refuse to take the lives even of their enemies, when that would seem to be the easiest way to end the suffering.

I was about halfway through season two when I became a bit convicted that I was longing to live in a world where I also had the opportunity to fight for something that mattered. I want my life to count; to be found before the Lord at the end of my days as a good and faithful servant who did not waste the time I was given. And therein lies the rub: spending 10 hours in a week watching a television show is almost by definition a "waste." So while I was wrestling with that sin, I was also trying to wrap my head around why there is such a draw towards what at first glance is just an old story that has very little historical truth. This desire to "fight" for something greater than myself is grounded in something - but it is not in injustice in the same way that the story displays it. There is too much of a Christian emphasis on social justice: the post-modern church grasps on to this because it is easier to say "Let me help you find equality, provision, and security" than it is to say "Let me show you what God says about sin and how He can save you from it." The church today does not want to be seen by the world at large as intolerant, so it does a lot of "good" without ever telling the truth about the Word of God. We never get to the gospel of Jesus because we don't want to have to tell anyone that they can never be good enough on their own.

But that is not what Jesus Christ, Lord and Savior, tells us to do with our lives. Mark 16:15-16 says, "He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned." It is that simple. And it is that, I believe, that we are supposed to be fighting for. This desire to confront the evils of the world is not there just for the soldiers - it is for all of us who are called by Christ. In Ephesians 6:12, it says "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." For this reason we put on the full armor of God and stand with the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God. These are our weapons, and our enemy is the devil whose aim is to hide the Truth and keep people from coming to know Jesus as Savior and Lord.

Jesus, how much I want to be found in your army! How much I want to be found ready, counting the cost and holding forth your Truth in spite of all obstacles! How much I want to know your Word and make it known! Forgive me for my wasted time and help me fight for what matters - to fight for You.

Its fitting in a way that this has been on my heart - because this past week on campus has been a bit crazy. The chapel speakers introduced the idea that we should honor "Mother Earth" and be thankful to the animals, fish, and trees for our provision and care. They claimed to be continually in line with scripture and to love God but their words showed their version of God is not the same as the jealous God of the Bible, who will not share his glory with another. This is only one group in a long train of speakers who do not take the Bible seriously or have a Biblical understanding of God. This one, however, has caused a stir across campus of students who know what is being taught is wrong - that it shouldn't even be a part of the conversation - and who are trying to have their concerns addressed. And although the chaplain and others have feigned listening, one gets the feeling that the religion department just does not understand what the problem is (which is of course a huge problem).

In this time when George Fox is going through such turmoil, when people come and claim to be sharing your gospel but give another instead, Lord, protect the hearts and minds of students here! Be at work in this, to make known your truth and glory. Bring wayward leaders back to you, and give voice to those who love your word and love You. Teach these students to know your truth so not one will fall away on account of this. You are in control, Lord Jesus - move in this place so it will not be a place of darkness, but of people who shine your light.