At first the assignment offended him, if he were being
honest. He knew his abilities and
wanted an assignment that would reflect them…maybe a missionary in an Islamic
nation, a Christian in the deep Amazon, or his dream job…protecting a high profile
Christian Rock star. He graduated
at the top of his class; he completed his training with honors, his spiritual
strength uncomparable. He was
obedient, relentless, powerful. And he was assigned to guard “yummy head.” Give me a break.
This kid, Markie, was the most cautious kid on the
planet. He was a rule
follower. Sweet, kind, never
taking risks. He set bugs free and wore multiple flotation devices whenever near water. Why would the top of
the line angel with the best skills of a warrior be assigned to this kid? And to add insult to injury, one time
the kid caught a glimpse of him and called him “Cookie." It was
humiliating. This was not an
assignment worthy of this mighty warrior.
Quickly, the angel learned, the Enemy was constantly
prowling around Mark. Go figure. The angel
learned he had to be alert. This
was not the marshmallow assignment he feared it would be. As the boy grew in wisdom and stature,
it only became worse.
His parents were praying he would be brave, a mighty warrior
and they trained him in that way.
The enemy hated him. And then the boy began to grow. Mark remained obedient to God alone, so he rejected the
normal ways of the world. He loved
people, he worshipped, he spoke against injustice and he had Joy. The enemy hated Joy. He took risks…not the risks of life and
limb, but real risk, spiritual risks. He loved the people no one else did, he hated human trafficking, and he
fought for the unborn. The enemy
hated him even more.
The angel could never let his guard down. There were so many close calls. Near drownings his mother didn’t even
see, missteps he took running Cross-country that could have broken his neck,
but the angel stood guard and protected his charge. The enemy got more creative. When Mark went to Nicaragua he sent despair, homesickness
and tarantulas. Mark dug into God's Word, called his parents, and loved the Pasada Boys with all his heart. Mark dug into
God’s word, called his parents, loved the Pasada Boys and came home a man. The enemy raged against him.
Shortly after he left Nicaragua, gunman came into the
orphanage shooting asking for the "gringos." That was a
close call. The angel no longer
had time to doubt the assignment, he embraced it. He camped around Mark, always alert, never slumbering. It didn’t help that the kid had no
discernment, no common sense. Only
love. The angel couldn’t count on
him to see danger because he was always seeing beauty. That is what he loved about him.
When Mark witnessed a gruesome car
accident near his home he never saw the angel between him and the spinning
vehicle. He saw the hurt girl and
went to help her and the Angel had to stop the cars from hitting him. All the times he turned down the wrong street. All the times he jumped a fence for the
perfect photograph. All the times
he went to the ATM or Tinee Giant late at night The Angel stood watch and
battled. He would not let Satan
have his charge. He listened to the prayers
of his young man every morning and felt like he had the most honorable
assignment one could ever have.
Then came graduation week. This was a challenge, because Mark was driving a lot. He tended to have a heavy foot and
liked to sing loudly. The Angel was
especially vigilant the night of graduation. So much hope for the Kingdom in one room. He knew the Enemy would be circling,
plotting, gnashing teeth. But the
Angel was strong, alert, well armed. Mark’s parents and so many others were praying. Officer Jones was on earthly watch
holding the blue line…always a good thing.
As Mark dropped off his buddy after graduation, The Angel readied himself for
the ride home. Mark was tired and happy,
thinking of the music he would work on when he got home. The Angel knew Mark might be
distracted. The Angel felt danger
in the night and wanted to get his charge home quickly. Mark texted his Mom he was coming
home. They made their way.
The intensity in The Realm began to pick up. The energy in the heavens shifted. Other
heavenly beings began to join him, and the Angel knew a mighty battle was about
to take place. Like a bad storm
coming he could feel the evil in the air. He was the first one to see the
car. Wildly making its way towards
Mark. Come at high speed and zooming up behind Mark's car. Mark, as usual, was
clueless. The Angel called upon
the others to form a wall between the gunman and Mark and they stood as an
impenetrable barrier. Their Angelic weapons were drawn and nothing would be able to pass.
And then, came the command…"STAND DOWN"
At first he couldn’t believe it. Surely he misunderstood. Then loudly again “STAND DOWN and turn your head” The good
soldier obeyed his Commander as his angel heart cried out “Why??” Then the
Voice boomed “I WILL BE GLORIFIED”
He heard the gunshots, and angel tears burned hot on his
face. Then a loud sound came down
from heaven as the chariot of fire swooped blazing and beautiful through the
night sky. “May I?” The Angel asked
the Sovereign One. He carefully
lifted Mark’s Spirit from his broken body and placed it in the chariot. Immediately the Spirit broke forth in
Song and the heavens began to rejoice.
One of their favorites was coming home. The Sovereign One smiled at him and wiped the Angel tears
away. “Well done,” He said, “ You
have completed your assignment. GO
NOW and WATCH what I am going to do through Mark’s family and friends. Even
strangers will Glorify Me because of this boy.”