The history of war has always interested me. As a child I liked the pictures of the ships, planes, and tanks. It’s still one of the first sections I visit when entering a book store. As I’ve aged, my appreciation for the soldiers in battle have increased. Over the years I have had the fine opportunity to know and befriend some real heroes among us, men of valor. Valor is defined as: “great courage in the face of danger, especially in battle.” This last weekend the Wall Street Journal had an opinion piece titled: “The Doolittle Raiders Did a Lot”. I really hope you know who these heroes were. If not, stop reading now, and look it up. It is one of the most critical motivators of the beginning of World War II for the U.S. The 80th anniversary of the raid was yesterday, April 18.
One of the sons of the Doolittle Raiders said— “There was nothing they could be asked to do for their country that they wouldn’t do… That is who those men were.” That is more than inspiring, that’s the stuff of legend. As an American, it gives me great national pride to read articles, books, watch tv, or movies about these men. Some how the Japanese had intercept of the strategy that the raid was imminent. For this reason, the B-25 bombers launched off of the USS Hornet further out from shore than they had originally planned. Most of them crashed, some died, some were captured and tortured. In all, the raid was a success and Tokyo’s strategic sites were bombed. They knew they didn’t have enough fuel to land safely in China, but they had a mission and took the risk.
A singular quote from the article stuck out to me more than the article as a whole— “They went anyway.” They knew the consequences, but chose to do it anyway. If only followers of Christ would do the same. There is no success in great ventures without risk. In fact risk assessment is one of the most lucrative positions to have in business today. People calculate the risk of everything. Housewives, Business leaders, Coaches, and Mathematicians all calculate risk in their lives and for those around them. Think about it, every move you make is one of calculated risk… what is this going to cost me; can I afford this; what will he say; is there enough; will I get it back in the same condition… and so on and so forth, about everything! Risk is a normal part of life. The real question is— Are you willing to pay the price if it doesn’t work out in your favor?
In the biblical Christian life, also known as being a disciple, there is risk and reward. There is also the associated loss and suffering. Such is true in all of life, but in the disciples life we have a surrendered existence. Our life is no longer our own. In 2 Corinthians 5.15 Paul says— “And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.” This life is no longer mine to live. This life is now the life of Christ’s, and I am just a willing vessel. I don’t always like it (in my flesh) but I want to serve Him. As the verse before explains, because I love Him. I owe Jesus everything. Nothing should be negotiable… it all belongs to Him. As I previously stated: The real question is— Are you willing to pay the price if it doesn’t work out in your favor? In my favor should not be an equation to quantify for the biblical Christian. In our world view, it should all bring glory to God, whether or not it lands ‘in my favor’ or not. If I follow His directions, it all lands in my favor, after this life, and maybe not in this life at all. I’m good with that. I want to please the One who paid the price for me…willingly.
Did Jesus do a risk analysis? Well, as God He would already know it, wouldn’t He? He evidently found it worth it. He knew exactly what was going to transpire, in detail, and still went headlong into the danger. He also knew what would be on the other side of that risk… glory! He knew the resurrection was sure. He knew this from the beginning. He saw what man would do, what it would cost, and was willing to pay the price, knowing the outcome ahead of time. And right there is where I begin to lose people. How can we do this without knowing the outcome? Easy… hope. Our outcome is fixed in the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and Him alone. Because I am blood bought, I can rest in Him. Because He paid the price, I can risk it all for Him. Why? Because my hope is in the resurrection. I know where I am going and am transfixed on that land there and not here. I couldn’t care less what man thinks of me or my temporary (perceived) failures. I have a King and a home waiting for me on the other side. That is more precious to me than anything I might risk and lose in this life.
It doesn’t mean that I am not still human or feel the sting of this present existence, I do. In fact, today I began my day in tears for others close to me in this life, begging God for more grace to them. His provision has worked so far, I see no reason to turn now. In the midst of this wacky life, we must decide to risk it all for the One and only King Jesus. There will be pain, failure, and heartache… but isn’t He worth it?! Isn’t heaven’s reward worth it?! As with the Doolittle Raiders, so should we be… “They went anyway.” Know the risk, calculate if you must, but land on the right side of this. Safety and tranquility is not guaranteed to anyone in this life. It is not the narrative of Jesus while He was here on this Earth. And it sure isn’t the narrative of the martyrs literally giving their life as heroes of the faith to this very day.
I want to amend the quote Mr Greene gave in his article and personalize it to our world view— “There was nothing they could be asked to do for their King that they wouldn’t do… That is who those men were.” Our Righteous, Holy, Loving, Self-sacrificing, King Jesus has asked us to serve. How will you respond? I pray it is with valor.