"When pride comes, then comes disgrace,
but with the humble is wisdom."
Proverbs 11:2
He came from a family that was well off financially. Consequently, he never had a want that wasn't fulfilled or position that wasn't exalted. All would look at him and want to be him. He knew this well and felt he deserved it. People called him mighty (Mit for short) and he felt important. Mit was a good conversationalist but only if the conversation was about him. He didn't care about the wants or needs of others because, well, it was beneath him to consider.
He actually lived in the Kingdom and his family was very involved in the work of the Master Commander. I guess you could say that he lived off the shirt-tails of his parents as no one knew the inner-workings of his heart. People just assumed that Mit was kind and considerate like his parents. They tried to teach Mit that service to the King was of the highest calling and he played the part well. Of course, there were those who actually knew that Mit was arrogant and prideful. There had been some who had been burned by him and gave him a wide berth. And then there were others who just felt like there was something not quite right and would question to themselves about the young man.
Mit had his eye on a beautiful girl who wouldn't give him the time of day. Frailian knew he was a fraud and struggled to not despise him for it. Life for her was more serious. Was not her mother being held captive in the camp of the enemy?
But for Mit he couldn't see anything serious. He couldn't understand why Frailian wouldn't give him notice. Actually, that was what drew him to her. So many others would be glad to give him accolades and want to be in his company. But not Frailian. She resisted him like the plague. This caused no small consternation for the young man (if that is what you could call him for he really wasn't a man but he wasn't a boy anymore either).
The MC watched and knew the young man's heart. He could see the twisting and turning of the selfish wanton yearnings. So, for Frailian's benefit and His own sovereign will He made her part of His plan. The Master Commander was putting into motion the escape of His beloved rider, Honora. This, of course, made Frailian's heart leap as she had been wanting and hoping for so long to help her mother. As Frailian's mind was filled with these plans Mit's mind was only on Frailian. He started to make plans of his own unconcerned whether or not it would cause problems for the rescue team and whether or not it interfered with the MC himself. Mit had decided, probably a long time ago, that he was more important than the Master Commander and his wants were what he deserved. Poor boy/man. To be the center of your own universe would, in time, break down. He had no idea what was really coming. If he did one would hope it would change his mind. Nevertheless, his fall was coming like an avalanche ~ fast and powerful.
But for Mit he couldn't see anything serious. He couldn't understand why Frailian wouldn't give him notice. Actually, that was what drew him to her. So many others would be glad to give him accolades and want to be in his company. But not Frailian. She resisted him like the plague. This caused no small consternation for the young man (if that is what you could call him for he really wasn't a man but he wasn't a boy anymore either).
The MC watched and knew the young man's heart. He could see the twisting and turning of the selfish wanton yearnings. So, for Frailian's benefit and His own sovereign will He made her part of His plan. The Master Commander was putting into motion the escape of His beloved rider, Honora. This, of course, made Frailian's heart leap as she had been wanting and hoping for so long to help her mother. As Frailian's mind was filled with these plans Mit's mind was only on Frailian. He started to make plans of his own unconcerned whether or not it would cause problems for the rescue team and whether or not it interfered with the MC himself. Mit had decided, probably a long time ago, that he was more important than the Master Commander and his wants were what he deserved. Poor boy/man. To be the center of your own universe would, in time, break down. He had no idea what was really coming. If he did one would hope it would change his mind. Nevertheless, his fall was coming like an avalanche ~ fast and powerful.
"Do not be deceived: God is not mocked,
for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.
for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.
For the one who sows to his own flesh
will from the flesh reap corruption,
will from the flesh reap corruption,
but the one who sows to the Spirit
will from the Spirit reap eternal life."
will from the Spirit reap eternal life."
Galatians 6:7-8
The team was assembled. The Master Commander drew those from all quarters. Some seemingly strong, others weak and all broken at some point in their lives. This is how the MC works. He takes the broken and heals them, reshapes them into what they were always meant to be. The Juggler found himself in the company of the strong. The OMW walked in stride with the Warrior and Frailian with her brother Bravadin followed close behind. There were others in the group as well. Seasoned fighters that knew they might be wounded or possibly perish. All were more than willing to march forward for the sake of the Kingdom and the King.
Meanwhile, Mit had gathered his own things and had placed them on his father's horse. He did have a horse of his own but had decided that it wasn't good enough for him. So he took what wasn't his to satisfy his own wants. Once again proving his selfish pride and arrogance. He would show them who was important. When he had finished his plan all would see and then Frailian would want to be with him.
Meanwhile, Mit had gathered his own things and had placed them on his father's horse. He did have a horse of his own but had decided that it wasn't good enough for him. So he took what wasn't his to satisfy his own wants. Once again proving his selfish pride and arrogance. He would show them who was important. When he had finished his plan all would see and then Frailian would want to be with him.
"Human history is the long terrible story
of man trying to find something
other than God which will make him happy."
~ C.S. Lewis
The morning had come. The rescue team assembled in the courtyard. Anticipation and hope filled the air. Frailian was so anxious to see her mother again, to hold her and know that she was alright. Her mother had cared for her for months on end when Frailian had been in her torment. Now the tables had turned and Frailian would be one of the ones to help release her mother from her prison. Frailian couldn't set out fast enough. Bravadin was of the same mind as his sister but only with darkness clouding his mind. These he fought as though he were in physical battle. His outer wounds had healed but he wondered if he would always be fighting the battles in his mind. Nevertheless, he would move forward for the sake of his mother and the glory of God. The Warrior paced back and forth, while his brother, the OMW (old man warrior) watched knowing he could not ease his brother's mind. And then there was the Juggler who didn't personally know any of his comrades coming from outside of the rank and file soldiers. He really didn't look like a warrior much less feel like one. There was still much to do. The team received a list of supplies that each was to take. Some of the list made sense while there were odd things also to be brought.
No one slept that night but all were prepared and ready. Everyone tried to keep a low profile so as not to arouse suspicion. There was the realization of spies even inside the kingdom like tares among the wheat. Mit was definitely a tare. Oh, he wasn't a spy for the enemy. He really didn't have enough courage for that. No, he was his own worst enemy. The only service that he was in was for himself.
He waited for darkness, took his lantern and headed toward the stables. He would set the stables on fire as a distraction, leave and come back around to show his help and support in putting out the fire, only staying as long as needed and then slip away to apprehend Fralian. However, his plan didn't go the way he had thought it would.
The stables did alight with fire and many came to rescue the animals and put out the blaze. Mit eventually came to show his presence. Shortly thereafter he slipped away into the darkness. A smile crept onto his face. He was so smart! No one would ever suspect him as the one who started it all in the first place. There was no guilt, no remorse. Only Mit's desire to get want he wanted. He walked quickly yet defiantly. He was so sure of his plan that he didn't feel anxious or fearful. Mit should have felt both and more. As he came close to Frailian's quarters he was unaware of someone following him. The MC waited in the shadows until the very last moment. As Mit put his hand to the door the Master Commander gently put his hand on top of the boy/man. In that moment the world came to a spinning halt and Mit felt damnation. Terrifying fear rose up in his breast. It was as if he couldn't breathe. Mit's mind went blank and he ran. The MC let him go with great sadness.
For days afterward Mit's parents hoped that he would return. The Master Commander, in his kindness, did not fully reveal all of the boy/man's heart. He just let it be known that Mit had run away from the Kingdom. The young man did, indeed, lose a bit of his mind. Like those of old who raised themselves above God he was brought low and driven from among men. He was like the cattle of the field and the pigs in a pigpen. He never bathed or cut his hair and those who looked on him turned away because of his madness.
*Words can be meaningless. Someone can profess to be one thing while in reality they are another. In the world this can certainly be true. But even in the church there are those who claim Christ and yet live a double life. Now, I know that none of us are perfect by any means and the grace of God is ever present to save us from our sins. There is a difference, though, between those who truly love the Savior and those that use Him for selfish ambition. Be ever on guard as the devil roams in seeming righteousness. The great news is that Christ knows the will and intent of every heart. He is near us even if we are pursued by evil. God help us and keep us under the shadow of His wings.
No one slept that night but all were prepared and ready. Everyone tried to keep a low profile so as not to arouse suspicion. There was the realization of spies even inside the kingdom like tares among the wheat. Mit was definitely a tare. Oh, he wasn't a spy for the enemy. He really didn't have enough courage for that. No, he was his own worst enemy. The only service that he was in was for himself.
He waited for darkness, took his lantern and headed toward the stables. He would set the stables on fire as a distraction, leave and come back around to show his help and support in putting out the fire, only staying as long as needed and then slip away to apprehend Fralian. However, his plan didn't go the way he had thought it would.
"Let this, therefore, be held as a settled point,
that all who do not submit themselves to the authority of Christ
make war against God.
Since it seems good to God to rule by the hand of his own Son,
those who refuse to obey Christ himself deny the authority of God,
and it is vain for them to profess otherwise."
~ John Calvin from Heart Aflame
The stables did alight with fire and many came to rescue the animals and put out the blaze. Mit eventually came to show his presence. Shortly thereafter he slipped away into the darkness. A smile crept onto his face. He was so smart! No one would ever suspect him as the one who started it all in the first place. There was no guilt, no remorse. Only Mit's desire to get want he wanted. He walked quickly yet defiantly. He was so sure of his plan that he didn't feel anxious or fearful. Mit should have felt both and more. As he came close to Frailian's quarters he was unaware of someone following him. The MC waited in the shadows until the very last moment. As Mit put his hand to the door the Master Commander gently put his hand on top of the boy/man. In that moment the world came to a spinning halt and Mit felt damnation. Terrifying fear rose up in his breast. It was as if he couldn't breathe. Mit's mind went blank and he ran. The MC let him go with great sadness.
"For you are not a God who delights in wickedness;
evil may not dwell with you.
The boastful shall not stand before your eyes;
you hate all evildoers.
You destroy those who speak lies;
the Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man."
~ Psalm 5:4-6
For days afterward Mit's parents hoped that he would return. The Master Commander, in his kindness, did not fully reveal all of the boy/man's heart. He just let it be known that Mit had run away from the Kingdom. The young man did, indeed, lose a bit of his mind. Like those of old who raised themselves above God he was brought low and driven from among men. He was like the cattle of the field and the pigs in a pigpen. He never bathed or cut his hair and those who looked on him turned away because of his madness.
"But as for you, O man of God,
flee these things. Pursue righteousness
godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.
Fight the good fight of the faith.
Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called
and about which you made the
good confession in the presence of many witnesses."
~ I Timothy 6:11-12
*Words can be meaningless. Someone can profess to be one thing while in reality they are another. In the world this can certainly be true. But even in the church there are those who claim Christ and yet live a double life. Now, I know that none of us are perfect by any means and the grace of God is ever present to save us from our sins. There is a difference, though, between those who truly love the Savior and those that use Him for selfish ambition. Be ever on guard as the devil roams in seeming righteousness. The great news is that Christ knows the will and intent of every heart. He is near us even if we are pursued by evil. God help us and keep us under the shadow of His wings.
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