Fighting the Monsters of your Own Hero’s Journey
School is in full swing, and somehow I have managed to get buried in essays already. Oops. My goal this year was to become more efficient at grading those essays so I could manage my time better for my students, my family, and my own writing. So far, the papers are winning, BUT it’s only the end of first quarter. The essays may have this round, but the battle’s not over!
In the hero's journey story structure, the protagonist always encounters major setbacks before he or she rises. The tasks besetting the underdog seem impossible, but we love to root for him. When we’re running the race God has set before us, it is easy to allow the challenges in our path to slow us down, get us off focus, and make us feel like that finish line is impossible to reach. However, God is not finished with me yet. He’s not finished with you either. This school year has three more quarters to go, and the race is worth running!
It’s easier to cave to the challenges and to say I don’t have what it takes. How many heroes in the stories have done so? Some story experts call this point of impossibility the “dark moment of the soul.” However, in the heroic stories, the heroes bounce back, have an epiphany, and realize they have been equipped with something that allows them to overcome.
Furthermore, the heroes have a wise mentor figure that sees beyond the struggles and aids them. The heroes go on to finish their calling. I have been equipped, too. I have the best Mentor of the universe. The light of God and his Word lights my path, and I can combat my struggles with His truth. Yes, even if it is just figuring out how to grade those essays.
If you’ve found yourself in the midst of challenges this fall, I pray you will see God has a beautiful story and calling for your life. He’s equipped you uniquely to face the monsters in your path, and, above all, he wants you to lean on him. You are enough WITH Him!
Unlike the hero’s journey archetype, Jesus, as Mentor and Equipper, doesn’t leave you to fight this world’s monsters alone. He fights with you and for you. And He is ALWAYS victorious.
