Originally published Tuesday, 28 June 2016.
They were watching cartoons, Veggie Tales. Apparently, something ferocious, sly and horribly mean showed up.
They needed me.
Feeling loved, they wanted me.
I ran - nearly falling on my face.
Upon arrival, I contemplated whether to turn the audible babysitter off. Instead, I decided to pause the show. I stood, hands on hips, head slanted and said, "Okay guys, I am going to let you in on the three rules of TV. This will help you."
They really were going to benefit. These rules saved me during movies when I thought my heart was going to beat louder than the show. They helped me not become the laughing stock of the movie theater, the one ducking under seats. They allowed my face to stay toned, rather than looking like an imprint of my hand.
I wanted them to know how to stay unafraid when they feel unhinged.
Here goes, 3 Rules (As Learned from Cartoons, TV and Movies):
1. It all isn't real.
2. The show will end.
3. The good guy never dies.
As soon as these things rolled off my lips, I wondered, "Don't these truths also apply to my life?"
Because make no mistake, it is all a show.
It is all a play and an act until the curtains draw back and the king of glory stands before me.
It is all popcorn, dinners and alarms until one day he arrives with clouds, chariots and fire.
It is all hanging on to bible until we hang our hat and head it on home.
It is all renewing of our mind until he rewards our dying body with his glory.
Until then, will I likewise remember...
1. So much of what we fret over isn't real? What is real is God, love and his promises. Those things are more real than the things my very eye perceives.
2. These limited days are just the first act to the rest of the eternal show? It is all going to end, very soon.
3. If you know Jesus, your flesh may hurt, but your soul can never perish? I am always safe.
If I expect my tykes to rise to new assurance and armored like mental strength,
I guess the question becomes,
will I?
Will I let fear lead me or faith in what God has already put forth as truth?
I have assurance, not meant to be followed from a distance. God has this thing. No bad guys can consume me. No image is too ferocious to ruin me. No rebellion is stronger than the power of Christ. No early affliction can overpower me. No dark day can steal my joy. No storm is greater than Jesus Christ. No discouragement has the power to magically remove the Spirit inside me.
Today will end. Tomorrow will not.
Until then, I can walk remembering, greater is he who is in me than he who comes to plague, harass and torment the world (1 Jo. 4:4). I can walk right up against the security detail, called Jesus. And I will. Will you?
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