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I Pledge Allegiance to a Lantern…

Original Post Date: 7/8/2011 [Pre-Race]

Yep. I'm blogging about it. 

I'd heard mixed reviews about The Green Lantern and I didn't really know too much about the comic or story other than what I'd seen from the trailer. Initially, I thought movie itself was alright – didn't blow me away.

But once I had some time to process it, what made the biggest impression on me was the message, it's truth and it's relativity to where I am right now. 

A Green Lantern is a guardian of the universe. When a dying Lantern lands on Earth, his ring goes out in search of a new Lantern to take his place. It chooses Hal Jordan, the most unlikely of candidates.

The ring is said to choose someone who is fearless and the ring is never wrong. Hal is far from fearless. He's afraid of responsibility, afraid of commitment and afraid of love. As you can imagine, the movie goes through him conquering these fears, putting off his old self and fully stepping into his new identity – a fearless keeper of the universe.

There are several spiritual and Biblical parallels that you can draw from the film, but I'm just going to discuss this one. Also, I am in no way claiming that this is a "Christian movie."

In a "pep talk" scene with another character, Hal is confused and frustrated by why he's been given such a huge responsibility. He's afraid and doesn't understand why he of all people was been chosen. The other character, among other things, tells him that he has "the ability to overcome fear." 

It's not about having fear. I would say that most people have had fear. It's about what you do with it.

Will you let fear overcome you and consume your thoughts and control your actions?
OR 
Will you overcome fear 
and step into the fullness of  life and what God has for you?

Since applying for the Race in October, I can honestly say that I haven't had very much fear about what I'm doing and where I'm going until recently. As the weeks until launch are dwindling down and I'm coming more and more into the realization that this is actually happening –  that I will be on the field in less than a month, I've been given more and more fearful thoughts to push through.

Am I really going to go through with this? This is crazy! How can I preach to other people when I'm still working through stuff myself? I'm far from perfect. Will they listen to me? Will my words effect them? How can I relate to a person who has spent their whole life in poverty in Kenya, a woman who has been trafficked and sold into slavery in Cambodia or a person who has witness all kinds of atrocities in Uganda? What in the world can I of all people say to them? Also – I'm going to be living in community with other people, am I really going to share everything I've gone through to them and let them see all of me? Am I going to tell them my deepest, darkest secrets? What will they think of me? Can I do this? Why me?

Why me?

Because I have been crucified with Christ and it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.
I am now a new creation.
I have been reconciled to God and am His chosen
I am joined in spirit with the Lord.
I have received fullness of life in Christ.
His strength is made perfect in my weakness.
I am a partaker of a heavenly calling.
I am to be an expression of life in Christ.
My ability to comfort others, to love others, my safety, strength, etc are not rooted in my circumstances, but in God.
I am here for a purpose. I have come into this position for such a time as this

These are words are truth. The doubts and fear? Lies from the enemy.

Once you come into the realization of a higher reality, you can either take a step into the fullness of your position on this earth, or you can turn in the other direction, ignore what you've been revealed and pretend that it never happened. 

See the higher reality of life in God.
Walk in the fullness of Christ.
Live in truth.
Do not wait.

One comment

  1. Ashley,

    God is going to use you in a powerful way! I applaud you for facing your fear. I am nearly 65 years ago, and when I was 18 yrs old I took a trip to Europe alone — it was one of the exciting (and sometimes frightening!) experiences I have ever had, and it changed my life in a positive way, as I know this trip will for you! Recently my brother told me that my taking that trip changed our entire family, and I never even knew it, so you have no idea how your experience will change other people’s lives!

    Although we have never met, I saw your flyer at Lee’s Shoe Store and was prompted by God to support you.

    My prayer for you is Philippians 1:6: I am confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in me will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.

    Blessings!
    Barbara

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