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Out of the Darkness

Life continues to move forward as if we have any control on the matter. I've started reading a new book "Blue Like Jazz" by Donald Miller. He has compiled some Nonreligious thoughts on Christian spirituality. It would be fare to say he writes out side of the evangelical politically correct box. His personal insights are thought provoking and humorous at the same time. He is a man who wants to know God through the heart not the head.

The following is a short story from the book I thought you might enjoy. Miller re-tells a story he heard a folk singer tell about a Navy SEAL friend who was performing a covert operation to free hostages from a building in some dark part of the world. His friend's SEAL team flew by helicopter and made their way to the compound and stormed into the room where the hostages had been imprisoned for months. The room was dark and filthy. The hostages were curled up in a corner, terrified. When the SEALs entered the room, they heard the gasps of the hostages. They stood at the door and called the prisoners, telling them they were Americans. The SEALS asked the hostages to follow them, but they wouldn't. They sat there on the floor and hid their eyes in fear. They were not of healthy minds and didn't believe their rescuers were really Americans.

The SEALs stood there, not knowing what to do. They couldn't possibly carry everybody out. The folk singers Navy SEAL friend got an idea. He put down his weapon, took off his helmet, and curled up tightly next to the other hostages, getting so close his body was touching some of theirs. He softened the look on his face and put his arms around them. None of the prison guards would have done this. He stayed there a little while until some of the hostages started looking at him finally meeting his eyes. The Navy SEAL whispered that they were Americans and were there to rescue them. Will you follow us? He asked. The hero stood to his feet and one of the hostages did the same, then another, until all of them were willing to go. The story ends with all hostages safe on an American aircraft carrier.

This story reminded me that personal contact remains the only way to lead someone out of the fear filled darkness they're living in. It's not that informational truth isn't important; it's just not effective when it comes to the issues of a wounded heart. Truth can only impact and sustain us once it becomes personal to our lives. The gospel of a new life in Christ can only be delivered by someone who is living and exhibiting it to those around them.