In case you don’t have the pleasure of knowing Clint, let me give you some insight. This would be like hearing a chemotherapy patient say, “…that movie makes me realize how hairy I am.” Now, I realize that no matter how much respect I have for Clint, he is a sinful human, but he is the last person in the world that I would label “pansy.” Needless to say, I saw the movie the following night.
My hopes are not to ruin this film for you, but in order to reach my main point, I must set up the context. Basically, Navy Seals are the most brave, selfless, and obedient men on earth. They are sent out on the most dangerous missions in the world to protect our nation and rescue individuals, but receive very little thanks for it because their missions are top secret. Sounds like a great action film, right? –Yes, but I’m pretty sure Tom Cruise wouldn’t survive a day of what these men do on the regular.
In the film, a woman working with the American government is captured and tortured while serving undercover in a foreign hostile country. As she refuses to release information to her enemies, she is tortured more and more brutally. However, the team of Navy Seals surrounds the camp and head in for the rescue. To be completely honest, my thoughts consisted of things like, “I can’t believe all of those men are risking everything for a woman they don’t even know,” and “They should probably just turn around because she looks too far gone.” Thankfully, there are men with much more courage than I could ever muster. They didn’t stop. Obedient to their leaders, they pressed in, even when it looked like a sure death. The team “took out the bad guys” one by one until they reached their target: a small, battered woman who was barely hanging on. Getting her to safety was no simple task either. Dodging bullets, these men literally ran for their lives until they finally reached the safe haven, where they maintained composure as they began nursing the woman to health.
Isaiah 43 flashed in my mind like a neon sign. The amount of training that this team of men willing to die had to obtain, the extravagant tools and weapons required for this mission, the wounds and terror required…all for a woman who was barely making it… This, my friends, is a reflection of my Hero.
“But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine… For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee. Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life… I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth; Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory…” (Isaiah 43:1-7)
Who would sacrifice one life for another? God.
I was in the most helpless state possible when I was rescued. There was no hope of escaping-my enemy’s weapon was death and all I had to fight with was flesh, the very thing that death feasts upon. Saving me seemed pointless because the only One who was able to could not be in my presence because of how offensive I was. But He had a plan. The most dangerous and scandalous plan of all time. He called out the only Man in existence qualified and trained to take on this mission- His only Son. The crazy thing about this mission was that not only did He know that it was going to be dangerous, but He also knew that it would cost Him His own life, but that didn’t stop Him. My Jesus saved me and made me His own. He didn’t see me as “too far gone” because redemption, restoration, and renewal were part of the plan from the beginning. He took the blow of death for me so I’ll never have to fear it again. And not only did He rescue me from the enemy, but He gave me His own Name so that I could not only stand before God without offense, but so that I could be lavished in His love forever.
My friend Katlyn Yoder and I spent the evening making connections of this film to our beloved Gospel and one of her observations was profound. The love and gratitude overflowing in her heart spilled down her cheeks as her shaky voice offered, “The same Warrior who gave everything to rescue me was the One cleaning my wounds in the aftermath.”
This is our God. Our Rescuer. Redeemer. Passionate, purpose-driven Warrior. Our Lover. Our Healer.
Google defines ‘valor’ as “boldness or determination in facing great danger, especially in battle; heroic courage; bravery…” I have a new, deep respect for men of valor, not only for what they do every single day to ensure the security of everything we hold dear, but for the way that they reflect the ultimate Rescue.
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