Monday, March 25, 2019

I am not built to be a prisoner.











Yesterday I settled down to watch a familiar movie, Pearl Harbor. It's an easy movie for me to fall asleep to because I know what is going to happen so the plan was to take a 20 minutes nap during it. It's mostly a love story set in the true story of the bombing of Pearl Harbor.  There are some favorite parts I look forward to seeing again and again for each time I get that same rush of emotions for the courage displayed by the characters. 

This time, because of some discouragement I was viewing  those favorite parts on a spiritual level. 

The first favorites takes place in Washington at the White House where President Roosevelt is meeting with top advisors over the surprise bombing of Pearl Harbor.  They are discussing the death toll and horror taking place even at the time of that meeting.  Roosevelt had ask congress to declare war. Some in the room were speaking negative against this. Several spoke,each telling why American cannot go to war with Japan.  


It gives me cold chills every time I watch the  part where the president responds to his advisors.





"Gentlemen, he says, most of you did not know me when I had the use of my legs. I was strong and proud and arrogant. Now I wonder every hour of my life... why God put me in this chair. But when I see defeat in the eyes of my countrymen... in your eyes right now, I start to think that maybe he brought me down... for times like these when we all need to be reminded who we truly are-- that we will not give up or give in.  One of his military advisor said, Mr. President, with all respect, sir. What you're asking can't be done.  The President then starts to straighten out his legs and with his hands pull himself up to a standing position.  His man servant tries to get him to stop but the President tell him to step aside.  Even some of the men around the table start to rise to help him but he refuses their help to.  Slowly, painfully he stands and say with courage , "Do not tell me... it can't be done."

For me it was one of the most powerful parts of the movie because these are the word I have been saying in the face of the devil, the enemy of my soul who does not want me to write a book by telling me it can't be done and then proceeds to pour reasons in my head which has discouraged me.  I made a list of all the reason I have been thinking I should just quit writing.  I won't print them here but I may use them in the forward of my book.

There is another  part of the movie that I will set up for you.  The president has ask Colonel  DoLittle  to lead a mission to bomb Japan, to take out tank factories and aircraft factories.   There were homing beacons put on the planes to help them return.  One of pilots ask, what if the beacons are turned off? The Colonels answered, you bring them down any way you can and do your best to avoid capture.  Another questions was about if their planes were damaged and they had to bail out over Japan?

 DoLittle said, Well, in that case I can't tell you what you should do. He then was ask, Colonel, what would you do?  Here it come, my other favorite part, DoLittle says, I wasn't build to be a prisoner. So I would have my crew bail out and I would find the sweetest military target I could and drive my plane right smack into the middle of it.

Again, pure raw courage that comes from knowing exactly how he was built.  Let me repeat his answer, I was not built to be a prisoner.  

God did not build us to be prisoners of the devil who wants to kill and destroy.  Again, because of where my heart has been lately this words of courage in the movie lifted my spirit  and brought home some deep spiritual truth.  I am a daughter of the Most High King, not a prisoner of the devil, he has no rights on me.  And God has equipped me  with a suit of armor to protect me as the battle rages.  Nobody, no thought, no fear can take me captive unless I allow it.  God has bought and paid for my freedom with the precious blood of Jesus. 

Maybe God speaking through a movie is a little dramatic for you but the God I serve meets me in the strangest place to encouraged my soul.  I was reminded of the women who prayed for me at the Retreat I attended last week.  The story of Nehemiah rebuilding the wall was pretty dramatic, I mean they carried a sword and a plow as the built. God is not picky about where He meets us, and He is not above using the words from a Hollywood movie on a real event to encourage this saint of God. 

It worked, here I sit writing all about it and before I wrote my post I was doing some more writing on my book.  Got my battle armor on  and my finger on the keyboards.  Get out of my way devil, I am a free women.  


How about you, has God spoke to you through an unusual way?





20 comments:

  1. No we weren't built to be prisoners. The question which haunts us is why are so many that way then? I'd say some of it is we haven't tapped into the power that is ours through the Holy Spirit. Don't let Him stop you from doing something you feel He is leading you to do.

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    1. Thank Bill, as always you are an encourager. I worked on this post at 2 in the morning and should have waited to post till I edited a little more. I have a feeling I will be doing editing a lot in the future and since I have insomnia it's usually early in the morning when I write. I know I was tired but content when I finally quit, about 4 in the morning. It does feel good to take courage by the hand and face the enemy by being obedient even in something as non dramatic as writing. One thing I know Bill is I would not even attempt to write a book if I didn't know He wants me to...it's hard work and the battle in my mind is draining. The battle is another confirmation. This is another stepping out of my comfort zone just as being an overseas missionary. This is war...

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  3. Yes, I, too, have had God speak to me through movies and through many other "unconventional" ways. I think of how He used a donkey to speak to Balaam and my brother-in-law used to tell of how God used a drunk person to get something across to him. I love how God is not above using flawed and unusual means to teach us what we need to know. I needed this reminder, as I am in the midst of one of the biggest battles with fear I have ever encountered (and there have been MANY.) I was thinking earlier about Zach Williams' song, "I'm No Longer A Slave to Fear," and it hit me that far too often I AM still a slave to fear. Fear wins way too many times. God help me. Thank you so much for this encouragement, sweet sister. PLEASE do press forward through whatever fiery darts satan flings at you, and WRITE THAT BOOK. We all need to read it. If satan is fighting it this hard, you can be sure of one thing - God has HUGE plans for it, and it is going to bless many. Lording willing, I will be one of your first buying customers!

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  4. Through the years I have faced many fears but the one that almost kept us from going to the mission field was my fear of flying. Bolivia was about six hours south but Papua New Guinea was 20 some hours half way around the world. I would be up the night before we flew, physically sick, emotionally sick, dreading getting on that plane. I tried everything to get over it all the way just getting on one plane after another. Interesting enough it was the big jet I feared the most. I felt like those little single engines prop planes could at least have more chance of landing safely. That big heavy jet would drop like a rock. It was probably about 2006 we were flying back into the closest town to our base, Madang and to land they out over the ocean. I am looking at the little island surround the big island, the change of the color of the water as it gets closer to the shore, and all of sudden I realized I did not have that fear in the pit of my stomach. I had faced it for years but never let it keep me back and I guess when one faces something enough God takes over. It was a super natural feeling because I had NEVER FLOWN WITHOUT FEAR RUMMBLING IN MY BELLY. Of course there was a ton of other fear, leaving our children, never enough money it seems, but we learned to face them to and at this point in our life I have very little fear. But this book is so out of my comfort zone..and I feel so dumb to even be trying to write a book. I am comfortable writing this blog because all of you who visit are so encouraging but to put myself out there, out of my comfort zone...fear has moved in. I refused to be help captive by it though, so write I will do, publish I will try to do, that's out of my hands. I pray daily for memories, profound thoughts, wisdom, insight and just plain writing skills I certainly do not have. Only God could get a book I write publish. I will not be devastated if it doesn't because I am writing more for me then anyone else. If God says to do something He does not have to give me the outcome while I am doing it. One step at a time. I will be praying for you and your battle with fear...everyone has them...the devil hates us and our flesh is really our number one enemy and it is weak. Fear teaches us to not lean on the flesh but on the everlasting arms of Jesus. Of course you know all this, but knowing something does not take away the experience of it. It the experience of fear, the sweaty palms, the rapid heartbeat, the diarrhea, the headache, the shakiness, all that fear causes that even more fear at times. I am praying for a super natural release concerning your fear Cheryl...in His timing. You are such a blessing to me.

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    1. I made tons of mistakes on this reply, writing too fast, not checking enough. Thank God I have a couple friends lined up to edit my words in the book. I know my blog friends are gracious but I am not sure the public would grant me that kind of grace, especially if one had to pay for my book. I may just have a 100 published and give them away, with the ending being, "Be Gracious" Blessings sister, blessings.

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  5. "God is not picky about where He meets us, and He is not above using the words from a Hollywood movie on a real event to encourage this saint of God." I'm so glad you shared this, Betty. I do believe God still speaks to us in a variety of ways today, including through you! Thanks for typing out the Pearl Harbor line...Do not tell me it can't be done. I'm so glad there is nothing God can't do if it's his will to do it!

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  6. Powerful words drawn out of hearts who loved our country. The one up that comes to mind is Jesus saying, It is finished...….

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  7. Betty, what an inspiring story about experiencing flying without fear! I too was afraid of flying for years after a bad experience with turbulence, but overcame my fears and fly peacefully today. Did your fear go away for good? Congratulations on your decision to write book! How brave of you to soldier on in the face of so many doubts. You can do this! And you can definitely self publish on Amazon very easily! I can't wait to see your book published!

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    1. So good to hear from you Veronica. You have been a busy women with those little girls who are growing up too fast. I don't fear anymore at all even though I would always rather drive, I love seeing beautiful country and I do a lot of writing in the car when it's just Ace and I. Thanks for the encouragement on the book and the information on publishing. I have not even looked into that part. Got to make it through the first part first. There are some thing I know I need to put in the book that will be hard to write about but I must for they play an important role in God's story in my life. Life is not pretty some times but without some ugly one will never enjoy beauty. There was a time in my life when ugly was all I could see. allowing God to use that part of my life has made me the woman I am, a frail but thankful women of God. Again so good to hear from you.

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  8. That's awesome!
    God is sovereign over all things! And I love that He used a favorite recreation or relaxing time to speak encouragement into your soul!

    Yes. It's not easy, but nothing worthwhile ever is!

    Write, write, write! Then edit, edit, edit!!

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    1. I have four chapters done and have been doing a lot of editing, rewriting whole paragraph at times. It's amazing how clear something seems in my mind as I write but re-reading and re-reading how many mistakes I make and how unclear some of it seems. I keep asking myself if someone was reading this would it flow, make sense, would they want to read the next chapter? I say again, it's hard but I know it must feel wonderful when one gets done. I keep thinking about all the hard things I have had to do all these years and know without them I would not have anything to write about. I have ask God to make my words to real they will pierce hearts but am finding out He is piercing my heart first. Thanks brother for the encouragement. I loved writing this blog post, it flew off my fingers. I don't usually read my post after I have written them except to edit but this one even encourages me. So here I am again in the face of the devil saying, don't tell me I can't do this.

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  9. I love how you used the ordinary to find spiritual meaning! I have not seen this movie, but it sounds like I need to. For years we sat directly behind a Pearl Harbor survivor at our church. He was one of the last, and such a blessing to know! Thanks for this thought-provoking post and thanks for linking up at InstaEncouragements!

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  10. I had the opportunity to go with my step dad to a reunion with his World War 2 buddies. they were on the Yorktown which is now a museum in South Carolina. What a day it was to be around those men who heard Roosevelt speech firsthand. Most of them joined up as soon as the news came out that we were at war, my Dad did, he was in the Navy also. His ship was destroyed and he suffered injuries to his leg which bothered him till he died. They those men part of the greatest generation and I can understand why. Of course I think the Vets from Vietnam were pretty great too and its sad that they never got the admiration the World war 2 vets go. I am just thankful for all them who serve then and now to keep us safe. But more glad I am serve the Risen King and He will end all wars someday. Thanks for the visit.

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  11. I was noy built to be a prisoner! That's so true! I love pulling "unintentional" spiritual truth from unlikely sources! I enjoy the Devotionals called "finding God in..." whatever book or movie is popular.

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    1. Thank you Aryn for stopping by my sit. I have never heard of that devotional, I will have to look that one up. I tried finding you site but couldn't. Blessings.

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  12. Hello Betty,
    I saw you dropped by my blog post about Job a few weeks ago and left an encouraging comment. Thanks so much for dropping by. I thought I would also check out your blog. This post is very encouraging. I agree that we weren't built to be prisoners. God did not create prisoners when He made us in His image but unfortunately due to sin we were born prisoners to sin in us but thanks to Jesus Christ all who believe in Him are set free from that bondage. All glory be to God for freedom in Christ Jesus the Lord. I also have moments when I'm watching something and then my mind drifts onto either realizing something amazing about God's love for us or I'm reminded of God's love for us. Praise the Lord for giving us power, love and a sound mind to overcome our adversary the devil.


    I don't post anymore new blogs up on the site you visited that belongs to me. I post on my new blog now which is RedLikeCrimson.Wordpress.com maybe you can drop by sometime. God bless you.

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  13. Just left your new blog on Wordpress. I am switching to Wordpress also. It's a slow walk for me as I want to change a few things that I do on or can't do on blogspot. I may keep both. Anyway, enjoyed you post. Glad I found you site.

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  14. I loved that movie and I love your post! Yes, I believe God can speak to His children any way He wants to, because He knows what will get our attention. He spoke to me through a movie once when I was discouraged and about to back out of an important opportunity for our dance ministry. The Scripture contained in the movie and the plot was exactly what I needed to follow through. He also speaks to me through dreams and nature, but especially through His Word. Don't be discouraged -- keep fighting the good fight, for He Who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. Don't be weary in doing good, for we will see the fruit of our labor in due time if we keep on keeping on. God bless you,
    Laurie

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  15. Thank you Laurie for commenting on my blog. I remember getting encouragement from a John Wayne movie. I was so new in the Lord I had to ask my pastor wife if God really did speak through that kind of thing. Thank God He is never limited in getting our attention. Blessings.

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