Day: 39

True Fairy Tales

“The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field.”

Matthew 13:44 (NLT)

The Hobbit, Lord of the Rings, Alice in Wonderland, Star Wars, Willow, Narnia, Ladyhawke, Peter Pan (Never Never Land), Labyrinth, etc., …

Almost every mythical tale or movie you’ve read or watched was modeled after the spiritual reality of life on earth. The audience is introduced to a world that was once good and gleaming, a world that has been sabotaged by a powerful ruler. This ruler has usurped power and now rules the world. He or she is the embodiment of evil and the whole world is under a spell of darkness and death.

The protagonist has been sent by some hidden force to break the power of darkness and restore the rightful order of good. The protagonist and those on his or her side go through a long series of adventures, and it all seems quite hopeless. At a certain point though, against all odds, the protagonist defeats the evil lord, breaks the power of darkness, and restores order and goodness.

This is the human story. In short, an army of storytellers has unconsciously (or, in C.S. Lewis’s case, consciously) woven this hidden reality into their stories.

A World at War

Our world is still at war, it has yet to reach the final battle scene. Its kingdom isn’t ruled by Christ… yet!

It will be though. “Chains shall he break” and “all oppression shall cease,” “For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.” We all feel “a thrill of hope and “the weary world rejoices” because “no more will sin and sorrow grow.” In fact, “He’ll make the blessings flow as far as the curse is found.”

We are not at the end of the story. We are still in the midst of a great battle. Our team is worn down and bloodied; casualties are everywhere.

Many in our camp live under a partial “spell” from the evil lord, still living under his government. They go about their business “in the shire,” oblivious to the war because it is far away in “Mordor.”

Yet, there are those who are fully awake. These can see the battle clearly. They live under the service of the coming King.

They know there is a battle and that there are casualties. They long to join the battle, to defeat the evil lord, and to care for those wounded in the battle at the front lines.

On the Front Lines

If you are reading this series, I suspect you are aware of the war.

We are a small tribe in the western Church, constantly working to awaken those around us to the fact that the Lord’s body is still being broken. It needs care.

I want to thank you for hearing and answering His call to care for the Body.

If you haven’t already, I invite you to roll up your sleeves and care for the wounded, building His kingdom on the front lines of the battle, breaking the chains of oppression, and setting the (spiritual) prisoners free.

Caring for those on the front lines is a transforming ministry. After my time serving the persecuted, I can say with total conviction that I have been sharpened and deepened through learning the “deeper magic” of the kingdom.

The persecuted showed me the path to the end of our spiritual journey. Because of them, the clouds surrounding the mountain path of my own upward journey have cleared.

Up ahead, I see my brothers and sisters standing on the threshold to the next life, calling me forward, saying, “Lay down your life and find the treasure that can’t be stolen, that neither moth nor rust can destroy.”

For Further Reading

“But test everything; hold fast what is good”

1 Thessalonians 5:21

“Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.”

2 Thessalonians 2:3-4

If you seek (wisdom) like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.”

Proverbs 2:4-5 (ESV)

“I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”

Proverbs 119:11 (ESV)

“And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense, and myrrh.”

Matthew 2:11 (ESV)

“And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.”

Matthew 13:52 (ESV)

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal… But store up treasure in heaven for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Matthew 6:19-21 (ESV)

“I have not departed from the commandment of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my portion of food.”

Job 23:12 (ESV)

“I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 3:14 (ESV)

“Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Hebrews 13:5 (ESV)

“I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.”

John 17:14-18 (ESV)

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