Another Story

Les Misérables is the redemptive story of Jean Valjean; a former thief who gives his life to God, vowing to become an honest man after a bishop shows him undeserved grace and mercy. It is a journey of intermingled characters that is marked with tense dichotomies of freedom and slavery; sacrifice and selfishness; war and peace; justice and injustice; good and evil; love and hate; and forgiveness and bitterness.

Despite his new path of living as an honest man, Jean Valjean is continually hunted by Javert, a hard-hearted police inspector, determined to take justice into his own hands. Although Jean Valjean has become a respectable and good man, Javert is not satisfied. Javert is convinced of his own righteousness as a man of the law and believes that Jean Valjean deserves the sword. He sings, 

“That those who falter and those who fall must pay the price!
Lord let me find him that I may see him safe behind bars.
I will never rest ‘till then.”1

Jean Valjean has multiple opportunities to defeat his enemy, Javert. He is faced with the choice of slaying him or setting him free. His heart being transformed by the grace he has been shown, Jean Valjean chooses to show Javert mercy and to let him go unharmed. The grace and mercy shown is not received with a grateful heart. Javert is enraged and ultimately is destroyed by Jean Valjean’s loving kindness. Javert cries out, 

“Who is this man?
What sort of devil is he to have me caught in a trap, and choose to let me go free?
It was his power at last to put a seal on my fate, wipe out the past, and wash me clean off the slate. Vengeance was his, and he gave me back my life.

How can I now allow this man to hold dominion over me?
This desperate man whom I have hunted, He gave me my life; he gave me freedom.
I should have perished by his hand; it was his right.
It was my right to die as well.
Instead, I live, but live in hell.
 

My heart is stone and still it trembles.
Is he from heaven or from hell, and does he know that granting me my life today, this man has killed me even so?”2

Unable to reconcile within himself the tension between the law and grace, Javert kills himself. He would rather be dead then to go on in the world of Jean Valjean, a world of grace.

As I watched Les Misérables, I began to parallel my journey with the journey of Jean Valjean and Javert. Like Jean Valjean, I was once a prisoner; a prisoner to sin. I was broken and fallen. But then in the midst of my depravity, like the Bishop chose to show mercy to Jean Valjean, a man who had sinned against him, Jesus chose to show me undeserved mercy and grace. Jesus saved me and gave me new life. Like Jean Valjean, I embarked on a new path, clothed in His righteousness.

Jean Valjean had an enemy, as do I. I have enemies who have hurt me and damaged my livelihood. Although these enemies do not physically hunt me, I feel haunted and hunted by the memories; never free from the pain. 

Jean Valjean and Javert were both recipients of grace and mercy; however, their responses were gravely different. Jean Valjean responded by allowing his heart to be transformed, which led to him showing grace and mercy to others who were undeserving, even Javert. Javert was tormented by mercy and rejected it, which led to his stone heart and suicide. 

For many years I have not reciprocated the grace that Jesus has shown me. I have a heart of stone toward my enemies. I have doubted that God will fulfill His role of the Just Judge. I have believed that my enemies are not worthy of grace. I have taken justice into my own hands by holding grudges and fostering hate within my soul. 

Paul writes to the believers in Ephesians 4:32, “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” 

As I watched the bitter Javert plunge himself to his death, my heart reacted. Although I have not technically killed myself, by allowing bitterness and hate to imbed my heart and impact my life, I have been living as if I were dead. I have emotionally killed myself. It is time for a change! 

I confess that I am tired of living like Javert. Living a life with a heart of bitterness is not a fulfilling way to live. Bitterness and unforgiveness has stolen enough of my joy. Jesus has forgiven me of all the sins I have committed against Him. His grace covers me and it also covers my enemies. As His forgiveness transforms me, I am able to forgive those who have sinned against me. 

Reflecting on God’s graciousness toward me, I am embarking on a new path; a path of forgiveness. I ask that in the days to come you would join with me in prayer. Choosing to forgive my enemies is a painful feat. It is a daunting task that is impossible apart from Christ. However, I look forward to the joyous freedom and healing that lies ahead. I cry out words similar to Jean Valjean’s at the moment of his repentance, 

“I'll escape now from the world
From the world of [my bitterness]
[My bitter heart] is nothing now
Another story must begin!”3

Sources: 

1"Stars." By Claude-Michel Schönberg and Herbert Kretzmer. Les Miserables. 1980, 1985.

2“Javert’s Suicide.” By Claude-Michel Schönberg and Herbert Kretzmer. Les Miserables. 1980, 1985. 

3 "What Have I Done?" By Claude-Michel Schönberg and Herbert Kretzmer. Les Miserables. 1980, 1985.

 

**[Words I changed]

The Wedding Feast of the Lamb

The bride looked across the reception hall. Her eyes settled on an unexpected moment. Her heart swelled with joyous surprise as she watched her maternal grandfather put his arm lovingly around her father, the man who had broken the heart of bride’s mother twenty years ago. This was a significant moment... A moment that illuminated reconciliation

The moment above is one of many precious memories from our wedding day. It is not uncommon for women to say that their wedding day is the best day of their life. To some that may seem cliche;  however, I whole heartily will tell you that our wedding day was the best day of my life.

The wedding planning and preparation was a gift in itself. My mother and step-mother joined hearts to provide us with a day we would never forget. The entire process was a family affair. James’ mother and my grandmother slaved away in the kitchen, preparing the delicious food for our rehearsal dinner. For hours the day before all of my immediate and most of my extended family worked side by side cleaning, building trees and decorating the reception hall.

The joy and wholeness I felt on April 28 was indescribable. I woke up that morning feeling rested and peaceful. Both I and my maid of honor were shocked at my peaceful demeanor; previously assuming I would be one of those stressed out brides. I was calm and collected, soaking in each minute of the day.

The time came for James and I to see each other for the first time before the pictures. He anxiously awaited me in the rose garden. I tiptoed towards him, wrapping my arms around him from behind. He turned to face me and complimented my beauty.

Minutes later our family members and bridal party members took turns freezing outside in the garden with us for pictures. Posed pictures can be either a fantastic expression of reality or a cheesy facade  The photographer captured my family as I perceive it to be: united by love, not as broken separate fragments. There are three pictures in particular that I will forever cherish. (1) A photo of my father, mother and me (2) A photo of my three brothers and me and (3) A photo of James and I with all four of my parents, my seven brothers and sisters, my brother-in-law and my niece.

Prior to the ceremony my Uncle Dave, our officiating minister, gathered both James and I’s families and closest friends into the chapel for a time of prayer. James and I sat in the middle as our loved ones surrounded us and lifted up their voices to the Lord. What a blessing for us to have parents, grandparents and friends who share our faith!

The ceremony was wonderful, accented with yellow flowers and glorious instrumentals. My long-time dream of marrying in the church my parents were married in was realized. With my daddy by my side, I walked toward my handsome groom. My parents gave me away and I happily became James’.

With much anticipation, James and I walked into the reception hall as “Mr. and Mrs. McManus.” The next few hours were filled with toasts, appetizers, cupcakes, and dancing. It was a great time of celebration.

When I think upon our wedding day, I do not reminisce on the external and temporal details (although they were wonderful!). When I think upon our wedding day, I reminisce on the internal and eternal things. I praise God for His goodness! 

In the presence of our dearest loved ones, I vowed to spend the rest of my life loving James, my best friend. The coming together of my family is a testimony of God’s gracious work among us. Divorce and brokenness has not destroyed my family. He has brought beauty from our ashes! God has granted forgiveness and reconciliation between people that from an earthly standpoint should be enemies. It is because of God first reconciling my grandfather and my dad to Himself that they were able to share that moment of reconciliation at the reception. It is because God has lavished my mother and step-mother in His grace that they joyfully planned our wedding together. It is because God so richly loved James and I that we love one another and were joined in holy matrimony. Our wedding day was the best day of my life and yet it is just a glimpse of what is to come.

One day I, the bride, will be sitting at the great banquet table at the wedding feast. Scanning the room the Groom’s eyes will meet mine. With joyous surprise I will watch as Jesus Christ walks towards me and lovingly embraces me, the once broken woman who had sinned against Him. It will be a significant moment... A moment illuminating with reconciliation.

I, along with all believers, will be united with the Bridegroom on a most glorious day. The preparation has begun as He has set His love upon me, forgiven me and is daily sanctifying me. Through Christ I have been reconciled to the Father. On that most glorious day our reconciliation will be fully realized. As we sit with the Bridegroom at the great banquet table, the joy I felt in seeing my family come together at our wedding will be just a fraction of the joy that I will feel as I see millions of people come together in union with Christ. It will be the greatest “beauty from ashes” moment. It will truly be the best day of all eternity.

Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.” 

Revelation 19:6-9

A Prayer to the King of Kings for the Nation

King of Kings and Lord of Lords, 

I bow before You to present this supplication, prayer, intercession and thanksgiving for the men and women in high positions and government offices, that I may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 

God I thank You for establishing Your natural law in the beginning. We were made through, for and held together by Christ. Jesus, the Personal and eternal Creator made all things, causing order and ordinance to exist in every sphere of life. Due to inherent sinful corruption, it is impossible for people to neither be autonomous nor oppose natural law without chaotic consequences. Certain truths are “inalienable” and “self-evident” based upon the “Creator’s endowment.”[1]

God from the days of old it is You who has set the rulers in place. When the Israelites sought a human king, desiring to be ruled like the other nations You said, “You may indeed set a king over you whom the Lord your God will choose.” We have set a president and government officials over us whom You have chosen.

Cause President Obama, the federal government, the state governments and the local governments to cry out to You; echoing Solomon’s prayer, “Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people.”

Stabilize our nation by making our leaders be men and women that possess the knowledge and understanding of justice. Cause leaders that mislead the upright into evil to fall into their own pit of destruction.

By justice let President Obama build up the land. Humble him so that he may be honorable. Surround our president with wise counsel. Shield him from falsehood and wicked officials.

Maintain justice in our judicial system. Your righteousness is the standard of justice. You have made it so that the natural law sets precedence for fairness and equity. Bring justice to our human relationships. Guide our judicial system to turn their back on bribery and favoritism; speaking and standing for consistency, mercy, and protection of the poor, weak and defenseless.

God, You have seen thousands of poor citizens and immigrants be mistreated by wicked rulers that are like roaring lions and charging bears. Rid our nation of cruel oppressors and call forth compassionate, servant leaders, who put off greediness and strife because they trust in You.

Guide the citizens to keep the law and not praise the wicked. Cause all of us, both leaders and citizens, to confess and forsake our transgressions so that we may obtain mercy. Make us fear You, the Almighty Lord, so that we do not fall into calamity. 

As believers, cause us to obey Your will by subjecting ourselves to every human institution. Give us the faith to honor everyone; to love the church; to fear God; and to honor the president. 

Replace our fear with boldness. Indwelt with Your Holy Spirit, we are the light of the World! Help us to do good without grumbling or questioning, so that we may silence the ignorance of foolish people; be blameless and innocent, children of God in the midst of our crooked and twisted generation; and so that the nation may see our good works and give glory to our Father in heaven.  Holding fast to the Word, let us live free from the power of sin as servants of Christ. Burden each of us to seek the welfare of the cities, towns and country sides that God has placed us in; praying to the Lord on its behalf, for in its well-being we will find well-being.

Thank You for America and the freedom that it has brought to many generations. Thank You that Your Word is continually proclaimed here and abroad because of that freedom. I praise You for Your sovereign work throughout our history as a country. “Praise the Power that has made and preserved us a nation”![2]  Through no merit of our own, You have been good and kind to us. 

Have mercy on America the Beautiful that often reeks of self-righteousness, rebellion and wickedness. May leaders and citizens alike, value good and not evil; righteousness and not wickedness. In the land of the free and the home of the brave, let our thoughts, motivations, actions, leadership and follower-ship be a testimony that it is “In our God that we trust!”[3]  

To God the Almighty be all the glory, forever and ever! Amen.

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[1] Eckel, Dr. Mark. "Holding Power Loosley ." Lecture, Politics and the Christian from PCULD, Denver, October 18, 2012.

[2] 1814, Francis Scott Key. "Star Spangled Banner Lyrics - USA Flag Site." All Things American. http://www.usa-flag-site.org/song-lyrics/star-spangled-banner.shtml (accessed November 13, 2012).

[3] Ibid.

Scriptures that shaped this prayer: 1 Timothy 2:1-2; Proverbs 28-29; 1 Kings 3:7-10; Deut. 17:15; Jer. 29:7; Matthew 5:14-16; Philippians 2:14-16; Romans 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:13-17; Genesis 1-11; Colossians 1:15-17; Genesis 3; Deuteronomy 16, 17 & 19; Isaiah 59.