In the movie Eagle
Eye there is an interesting scene that takes place.
Jerry Shaw is a
man is on the run from authorities and teams up with a complete stranger,
single mum Rachel Holloman. Together they are given orders from a woman’s voice
on a phone and if they disobey or fail to comply they will be punished. It later
turns out that the voice is in fact a top secret government super-computer called Autonomous
Reconnaissance Intelligence Integration Analyst (ARIIA).
ARIIA: Jerry Shaw, you have been
activated. Your compliance is vital.
Threatening
their lives and family, ARIIA pushes Jerry and Rachel into a series of
increasingly dangerous situations for an important assignment. Using the
technology of everyday life to track and control their every move, ARIIA helps
the pair to avoid the FBI, and remotely controls virtually any networked device
to fulfill their assignment, such as traffic lights, mobiles, automated cranes.
Even ejecting a pilot mid-air on an F-16!
The scene I am
referring too takes place when a third man enters the scene to assist Jerry and
Rachel’s mission. When he meets them he refuses to help any further and
attempts to run away. He is warned repeatedly to comply but in a fit of rage
disobeys orders. Live electricity cables above him fall to the ground and he is
instantly killed.
Soon afterwards
ARIIA sternly warns Jerry and Rachel, ‘Defection
is not an option’. Later on in the movie Jerry also tries to run away and
get his normal, yet boring and insignificant, life back. ARIIA reveals itself
so he can fully understand the purpose of what his assignment is all about. He
comes to his senses and continues to follow instructions.
ARIIA: Jerry Shaw, you are acting in
contravention of our programming objectives. You are now classified as an enemy
of the state, a crime punishable by death.
Now, what first
caught my attention was seeing random strangers coming together by someone
greater to achieve a common purpose. The theme of the government being able to
see your every move and tap into your life at any time is always a great debate
over drinks with friends. However, I couldn’t help but ponder on those words
and its implications to the Christian faith for us today – ‘Defection is not an option’.
The
illustration is clear: God needs all Christians to be willing and obedient to
the assignments He has for us. God desires willing people who will do His will
on earth without disobedience. Whose aim is to simply obey and to please Him (2
Corinthians 5:9). Much is at stake and God expects us to be faithful and
diligent in our day to day lives.
We have been supernaturally
set free and are now children of the God of glory. Just as He has miraculously
chosen you, He will likewise provide and guide you into an amazing destiny. Now,
thankfully we serve a God who is very forgiving at our mistakes and has grace
and mercy when we fail Him. He will not strike us down in anger when our heart
might turn away from Him. But where there is much grace and mercy, there is much
expectation for faithfulness and obedience.
At times He
will ask you to step out of our comfort zone and get your hands dirty just to
see if you’re listening. At times He will tell you to do strange and
insignificant tasks that you won’t understand why until later. And then there
will be moments where He will ask you to do what feels like jumping out of a
plane without a parachute at 40,000 feet! 1 Corinthians 13:12 says, For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then
face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.
God is seeking
willing and obedient hearts that will fulfill His purposes on earth. God knows
where we are at and our measure of capacity, gifting’s, integrity and faith.
Throughout our journey He will use people and circumstances to grow and
strengthen us so we will measure up to the full stature of Christ to fulfill
our assignments (Ephesians 4:13). This process can be painful, challenging and unpopular.
However, what is certain is when you make God look good, He will make you look
good!
Just like the
ARIIA analogy, God sees every area and aspect of our life. He knows when we are
willing and ready vessels that He can trust with greater things. He knows when we
are obeying out of selfish motives and for personal gain, or to bring Him honour
and for His name to be glorified.
God has a way
of bringing unruly people into complete restoration. So He brings challenges to
keep us sharp and to make sure our heart is in the right place. Ultimately our confidence
shouldn’t be in our ability to follow; it should be in His ability to lead us
in the path chosen for us to take. While writing this the Holy Spirit spoke to me so clearly
and firmly:
All of Heaven holds its
breathe waiting on your decision to live CRAZY for Jesus, outrageously in
faith. Uncompromising and obedient to whatever He calls you too do, to the very
end.
I believe God
is saying to you, Christian, that you have been called and chosen to do His
will on earth. He has amazing and great plans for your life. You have been
predestined since the beginning of time to do good works. Greatness lives in
you to rise above your circumstances and live victoriously in faith. Much is at
stake and all of heaven is awaiting your decision.
Father God: (Your name here) ………………….. You have been activated. Your
compliance is vital.
This is not a casual decision that you believe sounds good and want to join
a social club. This decision affects every area of your life! There is no
turning back. You do not belong to yourself for you were bought with a price (1
Corinthians 6:19-20). Because,
at the end of the day, ‘Defection is not
an option’.
