Donald Miller in his book, Blue Like Jazz, recounts a story he once heard at a folk concert… that helped him resolve a thing about God. The story was about his friend, who was a Navy SEAL:

The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood.
John 1:14

The folksinger said his friend was performing a covert operation, freeing hostages from a building in some dark part of the world. His friend’s team flew in by helicopter, made their way to the compound, and stormed into the room where the hostages had been imprisoned for months. The room, the folk singer said, was filthy and dark. The hostages were curled up in a corner, terrified. When the SEALs entered the room, they heard the gasps of the hostages. The SEALs stood at the door and called to the prisoners, telling them they were Americans. They asked the hostages to follow them, but the hostages wouldn’t. They sat there on the floor and hid their eyes in fear. They were not of healthy mind and didn’t believe their rescuers were really Americans.

The SEALs stood there, not knowing what to do. They couldn’t possibly carry everybody out. One of the SEALs--the folk singer’s friend--got an idea. He put down his weapon, took off his helmet, and curled up tightly next to the other hostages, getting so close his body was touching some of theirs. He softened the look on his face and put his arms around them. He was trying to show them he was one of them. None of the prison guards would have done this. He stayed there for a little while until some of the hostages started to look at him, finally meeting his eyes. The Navy SEAL whispered that they were Americans and were there to rescue them. ‘Will you follow us?’ he said. The hero stood to his feet, and one of the hostages did the same, then another, until all of them were willing to go. The story ends with all the hostages safe on an American aircraft carrier.

Donald continues, “I never liked it when the preacher said we had to follow Jesus. Sometimes they would make Him sound angry. But I liked the story the folksinger told. I liked the idea of Jesus becoming man, so that we would be able to trust Him, and I liked that He healed people and loved them and cared deeply about how people were feeling.

We meet a lot of people with good reason to distrust God. They’ve been hurt, abandoned - and some, by the very ones who claim to be followers of Christ.

I too find that I’m defensive, self-protecting, fearful and often with good reason too. Sometimes it takes a long while for me to uncross my arms and pick up my head. When I’ve finished kicking and screaming, I can slowly begin to see.

The One who made himself accessible, disarms me. He sets aside pomp and circumstance and gives me no reason to question motives. This One knows me, is willing to sit with me in the dank spaces of my heart and get a little dirty – even when my head makes no sense at all. With a quiet whisper an invitation is extended.

Jesus, the Incarnate One bids me to do the same for my sisters and brothers, to bear witness to a loving and patient God who stands with us no matter what. He who certainly does bring rescue and redemption, first quietly and simply, sits with us and enters in.

By: Andrea Baker