“Adventures are never fun while you’re having them.” C. S. Lewis
Annually, at Christmas and New Year’s Eve, the Brig authorizes us to take in home-baked cookies and milk, and also show movies. For good reasons, I show The Nativity Story for Christmas and The Passion of the Christ for New Year’s, primarily because many of the inmates have not seen either.
After showing The Nativity Story, the movie depicting the birth of Christ, I ask the men, “Joseph and Mary… is it safe to say ‘adventure’ was a part of their lives? According to the biblical accounts of Matthew and Luke, where were these moments of adventure? Would encountering angels be considered an adventure? And, believing their divine, bewildering messages? What about yielding to the angel’s words with, ‘Be it unto me according to thy word’? How about Mary’s parents upon the discovery of their daughter’s pregnancy? Can you imagine Mary having to deal with their words, thoughts, and unbelief? What about the thoughts of the community, public opinion, and gossip? Not to mention the requirements of the law which called for stoning. Do you reckon there were doubters and scoffers of this entire situation?”
I continue, “What about living under Roman rule, heavy taxation, and the census? Then there was King Herod who was vehemently trying to identify this coming Messiah, so as to eliminate all threats to his rule. Yikes! What about having to travel about a hundred miles on foot and by donkey to Bethlehem? While late-term?! Also, as soon-to-be parents, do you think Joseph and Mary had any concerns, reservations, or fears about raising the son of God? Yeah, there’s that. Lol! I’m certain Joseph and Mary wrestled with their faith-walk, not fully sure of what they were doing, simply pressing forward in faith, and quite possibly, frequently asking God for signs that they were on the right path. Sound familiar?”
“Then there’s the unique star guiding the wise men and the shepherds. That had to be something to behold. How about arriving in Bethlehem and Mary goes into labor, but they can’t find a room? Anywhere! And, your only option is a barn?!! (Ahh… good times, good times.) I’m fairly certain that as a father, I’d have had moments of anger, fear, cynicism, and feelings of failure… with critical thoughts like, ‘Yeah, that’s something I’ve always looked forward to. Having my child born in a barn!’ Then, can you imagine, after having given birth, shepherds come out of nowhere, tell of an angelic visitation and message, and they fall in worship at this baby-gift from God? Soon after, three wise men show up unannounced, bearing incalculable gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. They’ve been rejoicing with exceeding joy at the star that guided them, then, at the sight of the holy infant, they kneel in reverence to this King of kings. Top that off with another angelic visitation in the form of a warning to flee to Egypt. Adventure? A bit overwhelming? Of course.”
I underscore these events to remind the men that not much has changed today. We’re still called by God to lives of faith, and similar adventures await those of faith. (And I can most assure you, that it will be an adventure.) Joseph and Mary ran their race and finished their race, their time on stage complete. Were they perfect? Of course not. Did they make mistakes? Certainly. But, they completed their god-assigned mission while on this earth. Likewise, sons and daughters of God are called into His love and His works. After all, Ephesians 2:10 tells us we were “created by God, in Christ Jesus, for good works, which He has prepared, in advance, for us to accomplish.”
I gotta tell you though, doing His works will require faith, and genuine faith is gonna cost you something. Let me put it like this: Faith looks good on paper, but it’s when you step out to execute that plan, stuff happens. C. S. Lewis keenly observed that “Adventures are never fun while you’re having them.” Also, some time ago, I heard a boxing manager say, “Every fighter has a fight plan until they get punched in the face.” How appropriate.
As fighters, 1 Timothy 6:12 exhorts us with, “Fight the good fight of faith!” And, 2 Timothy 4:7 reminds us to, “Finish the course, and keep the faith!” Understand that faith is diametrically opposed to mediocrity. Banality and inactivity is a form of death for Believers! “Faith without works,” anyone?
My charge and encouragement to Christians is, “Take a big swing!” As a matter of fact, “Swing for the fence,” and, “Knock it out of the park!” It’ll all be worth it! We all are given only one life to live on this earth, so let’s stop being afraid and start being in faith! Adventure awaits — and trials, to be sure — but “he that winneth souls is wise” (Pro 11:30) and eternal life with Christ is the prize!