Echo, echo, echo, echo…

Recently, I watched Taken 3…… I promise not to ruin the movie for you, btw.

A hailstorm of gunfire rains down on Liam Neeson as he single-handedly battles his way through the gang of disgusting Russians. And all in the name of protecting his daughter. Liam is obviously outnumbered, yet radiates everything noble, brave, stately, and he embodies the fiercest kind of love for his family. The Russians are overtly corrupt, treacherous, con artists, and  belittling of women. Paralyzed we sit as we root for our hero, and more and more satisfied we grow with each victory Liam has over his enemy. What a display of relentless, sacrificial, and valorous love. Does his motivation come from the way his daughter has kept in step with his wishes? Ehhh, probably not. She was living with her boyfriend while attending college, and is now pregnant. That has absolutely no affect on her value. He sees her as valuable, not based on anything she has or has not done. He sees her as valuable because she is his daughter. Just wanted to draw this parallel, because it is one that resonates with my soul. The number of times I have underestimated the fierce, authoritative, and consuming love God has for each of his children sometimes threatens to engulf me. Yet, other times the wonder is lost on me altogether.

Luke 15 <words of Jesus>

The Parable of the Lost Sheep…  “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home.”  v. 3-6a

The Parable of the Lost Coin…. “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” v. 8-10 (emphasis mine)

The Parable of the Lost Son… v.11-31

Reality is… Jesus himself is verbalizing our value in the eyes of God the father. As livestock, or money, or children had extraordinary value, so do we. Spiritual warfare exist all around us, and God is fighting against evil for our very souls. Maybe the reason we love Marvel movies, and football games, and even love stories is because our souls recognize how they echo the biggest story of all. One of bravery, of heroic and intense sacrifice, of selfless love, and of a happily ever after we could not even dream up. These are the stories that echo the bigger story that is written into the creation itself. In fact, our most beloved stories are seldom something other than an echo of God’s story. The story of the love of God for his children, and the evil he battles for them, and his ultimate victory over death and evil. Even at the echoes of his love, our hearts melt and yearn for that glorious day. After all, the wedding of all weddings awaits. Revelation 19:17

Ephesians 6

“Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 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.” v.11,12