Moving Mountains Group Discipleship Series
Chapter Two: Third Graders at Normandy
In this chapter, Eldredge presents us with two assumptions: God is growing us all up, and we are at war.
“Yet there is no mistaking the theme in Scripture: God is committed to growing us up…”
“We are at different stages of maturing. “Children” in the faith know the basics—they know they are forgiven. The “young men” (and women) know other things—they understand the battle. “Fathers” (and mothers) are further along still—they know God intimately. We are all underway and we are not all in the same place; this is very gracious, and realistic, and quite helpful when it comes to understanding your own life or the lives of those around you. If you think about it, you can probably name the children, young men, and fathers (and mothers) in your life.”
I find this to be very helpful and encouraging. A friend shared with me a great acronym for shame: Should Have Already Mastered Everything. When we approach life and maturation out of shame, there’s not much room for delight and life with God. God doesn’t see us this way. He delights in walking with us as he grows us up. We can delight too. Carrying this assumption, that God is pleased to grow us up, will give us an appreciation and graceful view of our past, permission to fully engage with the present, and a solid hope for the future.
“But here is the problem—most of us don’t quite share God’s fervent passion for our maturity. Really, now, if you stopped ten people at random on their way out of church next Sunday and polled them, I doubt very much that you would find one in ten who said, “Oh, my first and greatest commitment this afternoon is to mature!” Like Bilbo, our natural investments lie in other things—lunch, a nap, the game, our general comfort, including getting others to cooperate with our agenda.”
Ouch. Let me be the first to plead guilty to this charge. I will share an example. Felicia and I have felt a call to pray together in the evenings. We have felt for some time that growing in our prayer life together will bring about great things for our family, our marriage, our ministry, and our intimacy with God in general. We are both eager to pray together, until it’s time to do so. After tackling the day and all that it requires, and finally collapsing on the couch after the kids are in bed, I never FEEL like praying. I’ll speak for myself as Felicia is always much better than me about moving past this hurdle. Growing is rarely comfortable or easy. It requires something of us, but, friends, it is so worth it. Understanding and even expecting this resistance can be very helpful as we show up and engage with God in our maturation.
“And how does God provide for growing us up? What are his means? Situations that stretch us, strain us, push us beyond what we thought we could endure—those very same circumstances that cause us to pray. This assumption is important for one simple reason: it changes your expectations. When you show up at the gym, you are not surprised or irritated that the trainer pushes you into a drenching sweat; it’s what you came for. But you’d be furious if your housemate expected this of you when you flop home on the couch after a long day’s work. (Perhaps you might begin to see the connection in some of your feelings toward God.)”
This understanding is very helpful when growing up moves past discomfort into the realm of crisis. Understanding that God loves us, and that He is using all things for our Good, will give us courage to face those really difficult seasons in life. This understanding will give us the courage and trust to “lean in” to God in those moments, rather than run to our comforts.
“We Are at War…”
The second assumption Eldredge brings in this chapter is that we are born into a world at war. Edlredge presents us with several sobering examples. I think of my own growing in understanding of the Christmas story. As a child, I was drawn to the magic of it all. God’s arrival, His rescue for all, a message of hope and joy. At a young age, I understood that the Christmas story represented a deep rescue and invitation to life and joy. As I grew up, I began to understand that this Child was born for sacrifice, and associated Christmas with the cross. That Jesus was born to die for me, to rescue me. Eventually we grow in our understanding more, as we learn of the plot to kill Jesus at an early age, and Herod’s murder of the boys in and around Bethlehem who were two years old and under. We begin to understand that we are at war. It’s more than just me, and my sin. It’s us, and a war between kingdoms.
“The story ought to make you wonder about your assumptions of what exactly is going on here, and how God works in the world. Certainly it ought to cause us to rethink our views on prayer. “I asked; he didn’t move” seems grossly out of touch in light of these stories.”
Understanding the dynamics of the world in which we live is extremely helpful. I am more hesitant to judge a situation or circumstance. I am very aware of how much I need the Holy Spirit’s leading as I pray and discern. I certainly don’t think of “unanswered prayers” the same way anymore. It also gives me a thread of hope through every circumstance. When there is loss, I mourn; however, I do not mourn without hope. Ultimately, I long for the day that Jesus will return, and make all things new, just as a soldier hopes and longs for the day the war is over.
“Because honestly, to conduct the invasion while God is still growing us up looks to me like hitting the beach at Normandy not with a battalion of marines, but with Mrs. Simpson’s third-grade class, the junior high youth group from First Presbyterian, and a handful of adults chosen at random from the phone book. It looks like a hobbit with a handkerchief going to slay a dragon. But I did not write this story, and the One who did hasn’t consulted me on the matter. So this is where we are—in precisely the same position Bilbo and the children in Narnia found themselves in. (Perhaps that is why we love those stories; something deep inside knows it to be true.)”
I love this quote, and from it and my understanding of the scriptures I have adopted an attitude and posture towards life with God. God cares deeply for us. He is committed to caring for and growing us up. He does come through for us. We are at war, and we have a part to play. He is not surprised by any situation. As we lean in and pray, He will grow us up, and help us to play our part in His story.
Scripture for Meditation
10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
Ephesians 6:10-18 NLT
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