One of my favorite parts in Prince Caspian is when Peter duals an evil king.
In the beginning, the dual isn’t going Peter’s way, and his brother Edmund asks during a break in the fight, “I say, Peter, you can beat him can’t you.”
Peter responds, “Well, that’s why we’re fighting him. To find out.”
Lewis’ point here was that part of the adventure of the Christian life is that we don’t know how every particular dual will come out. That’s why it’s an adventure.
Jonathan had much the same attitude at Micmash:
Jonathan said to the young man who carried his armor, “Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised. It may be that the Lord will work for us, for nothing can hinder the Lord from saving by many or by few.” 1 Samuel 14:6
Jonathan did not say, “It is a slam dunk we’ll win.” Instead, he acknowledged that victory was in God’s hands. But the possibility of defeat was what made it such an incredible victory.
You don’t know how it will turn out, but why not:
- Accept a leadership position at church.
- Take a missions trip.
- Share the Gospel with a colleague.
- Invite a neighbor to be your guest at church. Don’t make some general comment. Say, “This Sunday would you be my guest?”
- Pray in front of your family. No guarantees someone won’t laugh.
- Make a generous gift to God’s work. It’s risky. Why not take a chance?
Who among us wants to get to the end of life having never taken chances for the King? Better to be in the fight and lose, then grow old in comfort.
There are no guarantees about how a particular matter in your life may be resolved. The adventure is in continuing on for Christ when the near future is uncertain. But, never forget this. Christ the King will win in the end.
See also:
John Piper: Don’t Waste Your Life
