Waiting for the Cavalry That Likely Isn’t Coming
/“I think there is too much of the moral authority in church and not enough love that helps people avoid the fire.” - Jordan Peterson
Have you ever caught yourself not taking action because you expect someone else to make the first move? Justified by a million reasons why it shouldn’t be you?
In my local church group I’ve hit up against hard opposition over the years from individuals stuck in protecting tradition or cultural norms. Uncomfortable with change but yet also uncomfortable or critical of the inefficiencies of how things are.
Each time it is disheartening and I’m tempted to give in and try to just stop caring, numb out, check out, fall back into a slumber of indifference. And at times I’ve given in to that temptation, but the feelings come back with a desire to fight and ring the bells of awakening.
I go to my wife or church group or food, or lust, or whatever for acceptance. They may give a momentary reprieve but they can only do so much.
I grow tired of waiting on a cavalry that seems to never come and instead accept cheap substitutes.
Years ago I came across a quote that stopped me in my tracks:
“Be the change you wish to see in the world.” - Gandhi
It angered me. I wanted someone else to be the change. It frightened me. I didn’t feel confident enough in myself to make change happen. It empowered me. I didn’t need to wait around for the cavalry, because I was the cavalry.
It’s a lonely thing to do at times. I can put out a LOT of effort and not receive any feedback, input, or accolades.
This isn’t to say there haven’t been others placed in my path who were inspirational and whom I now hold as dear friends. But in my own life, I realized that I needed to be the one to respond to the call for help, and feeling woefully inadequate that I was going to fall woefully short of what I need and want.
So if external actions (lust, food, procrastination, media, etc.) can’t provide what I need and other people can’t fill the hole in my soul, what is left?
God is the short answer, but I can hear my younger self shouting “where is God?” “Who is God?” “If … there is a God, then why did ____ happen to me?!?”
There is that scene in a later Harry Potter book and movie where Harry is being attacked by Death Eaters near a lake. At the moment he is about to give up and be devoured completely, he looks across the water and sees who he thinks is an angelic vision of his deceased father casting the Patronus Spell which ends up saving his life. Later he finds out how to travel in time and finds himself at the other end of the lake at the same moment, looking and waiting for his dad to appear and save the day.
But Harry’s dad never arrives. Eventually at the last second he realizes that it is this future self who must cast the spell and so he saves himself.
I certainly am not suggesting self worship as a means of salvation. What I have experienced, however, is that God will use me and use you - despite our hopeless inadequacies at times - to save each other with a common grasp on the love of our combined hope for healing in the blood of Jesus Christ.
Recently I listened to a discourse by John Eldridge speaking about the various stages of masculine development. When we are emotionally a child, there is a lot God will do for us.
But as we grow, God expects us to learn from Christ how to do things ourselves while also He is always present to provide love and guidance. As we get spiritual experience and God feels we are ready to level up, however, God begins to move from all-providing parent to a loving mentor and coach. He no longer chauffeurs my spirit but is willing to provide guidance as to how I can drive and is my turn-by-turn GPS navigation to my destination.
It is up to me to be the main character and player in my journey. God is my source of acceptance and the wind beneath my wings but He is most effective only when I start flapping my wings and taking action because His greatest gift to me is my free will and He takes joy in me exercising it in righteous ways to help others; in turn, blessing me with strength and confidence.
One thing I’m learning recently is that there is no cavalry to wait for, because God has always been here for me. At times I screened Him out. At times others caused so much pain in my life that God was obscured. But regardless, He is in my life and cares and loves me. All I have to do is accept Him.
And as I accept Him, I no longer need to wait for anyone else for me to start loving others. And learning and growing together we become the cavalry we’ve waited for such a long time.
What Next?
What can you do today to reach out and lift someone else the way you’d like to be reached out to and lifted up? Do it!
Where are you waiting for an answer? Ask God what is keeping you from it and be willing to hear hard things.
Who can you reach out to right now? Do it. I’m always amazed at how God speaks to me through other people.
Lift where you stand. Don’t wait for better circumstances, just reach out. And be prepared for a negative reaction.
By Pete, Writing Team