DAY 4
Devotional by Brook Chalfant
Lord Maximus Farquaad. Does that name ring a bell? If you’ve ever watched the film Shrek, you know all about this eccentric antagonist bent on ruling the kingdom of Duloc.
The problem is, Lord Farquaad is not of royal stock. He needs to marry a princess to secure his position and power. This leads to the second problem: Lord Farquaad is a pipsqueak and a coward.
When he realizes the magnitude of the barrier to freeing his chosen bride – a tower guarded by a fire-breathing dragon – he does what any 4’6” impotent villain would do: He makes a deal with a “brut squad” to conquer his risky business. Enter Shrek and Donkey to save the day.
I have had many a chance to relate to Fiona throughout life – many moments of needing to be rescued from everything from insecurity and inadequacy to fear, flakiness and general fallenness.
One interesting side note about Fiona is that she appeared to be completely put together by day – your quintessential radiant princess. But as dusk swept in, she morphed into an ogress. All warts and bumps on display though she tried so desperately to keep her secret a secret. Something else I can relate to. How about you?
It’s funny that, all along, true Fiona was beautiful, capable, and heroic. She simply needed a proper rescuer to lead her into grace, redemption and truth. We often hear that we have an enemy who comes to steal, kill and destroy. And we do. Whether it’s through the enemy of sloppy, unhealthy thinking or slick lies fired by Satan, our everyday world could easily be marked by distraction, limitation, and bondage.
Yet you and I are warrior princesses by design.
I’ve wrestled today with how to encourage you that you are meant for more … more than a Lord Farquaad and more joy and power in who you are. It’s a “more” you can actually achieve.
My own isn’t a story of a magical light bulb moment that realigned the stars and secured my destiny. It’s a progressive, overcoming journey – with relentless digging in to truth like a voracious woman in calorie-free gourmet chocolate shop.
I’ve had to ask myself more than once, “How bad do you want it?” And I’ve literally had moments of bracing myself, digging in my heels, and committing to temporary pain and discomfort of opening my heart and applying great energy to knowing and trusting my true Warrior and Rescuer: Jesus Christ.
Psalm 18 has become dear to me along the way. Here’s a snippet on the Jesus you can experience too (but read the whole chapter):
Lord, I passionately love you and I’m bonded to you!
I want to embrace you, for now you’ve become my power!
You’re as real to me as bedrock beneath my feet,
like a castle on a cliff, my forever firm fortress,
my mountain of hiding, my pathway of escape,
my tower of rescue where none can reach me.
My secret strength and shield around me,
… always the champion of my cause.
We serve the omnipotent King of Kings with moves like this and more:
He stretched heaven’s curtain open and came to my defense. …
He rode a chariot of thunderclouds amidst thick darkness,
a cherub his steed as he swooped down,
soaring on the wings of Spirit-wind.
He reached down into my darkness to rescue me!
He took me out of my calamity and chaos
and drew me to himself, taking me from the depths of my despair!
And this is the freedom and confidence at your full disposal:
With You as my strength I can crush an enemy horde,
advancing through every stronghold that stands in front of me.
… You’ve trained me with the weapons of warfare-worship;
now I’ll descend into battle with power
to chase and conquer my foes.
You empower me for victory with your wrap-around presence.
Your power within makes me strong to subdue,
and by stooping down in gentleness
you strengthened me and made me great!
You’ve set me free from captivity
and now I’m standing complete, ready to fight some more!
I caught up with my enemies and conquered them,
and I didn’t turn back until the war was won!
In the days and weeks ahead, chase after the One True Savior. Bravely choose to be bonded to your unequalled Tower of Rescue and Strong Deliverer. Ask Him to show you the powerhouse and warfare-worshiper He means you to be. It’s time to turn to your enemies and pulverize them. It’s time to win the war. It’s time to be free.