Named in Grace

I was in my early twenties—
young in the flesh,
younger still in the faith—
when I received a vision.

I was praying.
And suddenly,
I was either on foot
or horseback,
trudging through a heavy blizzard
up a steep mountain.
The wind howled.
The snow blinded.
But I was not alone.

Guiding me was Aslan, the lion.
Often, when the journey felt too daunting,
Aslan would turn to me and say,
“We’re almost there, Larry.”

And then,
we stood together on the high peak.
Before us stretched the cosmos
in all its splendor—
stars upon stars,
shimmering in the vastness.

The lion turned to me and said:

“This is my Father’s kingdom.
Together we created every star—
giving to each one its unique name.
Just as we have named them,
we have also named our children.
In that kingdom,
you are known as Old Warrior.”

 

The vision faded.

My first lucid reaction was confusion.
I was no warrior—
not even a fighter.
The name felt foreign, awkward, and undeserved.

Later, I tried to accept the moniker.
I thought perhaps I was destined to battle demons,
maybe even dragons.
Now I understand: Those demons were within me.
And I am still in training.

Unlike the squires of old,
who knew they were preparing for knighthood,
I was first named —
then shaped slowly, painfully, lovingly.
Not by my own strength,
but by the hands of the One who called me.

I do not share this to claim recognition,
nor to elevate myself as one specially chosen.
I am a common brother,
ascending quietly,
yielding to the calling,
while God performs the work.

And though I may have been given a commission,
it is not mine alone.
Any soul who longs to share in that assignment
need only ask God for it.
It is a heavy calling, yes—
but it is freely given
to those willing to be shaped.

Still, let it be said plainly:
This path is not for the spiritual thrill-seeker,
nor for the one
who merely wishes to wear the armor.
As Michael S. Heiser once said of Bible study,
“It’s not for wimps.”

So too, this calling is not for the faint of heart.
It is for those truly committed to serving our Lord—
not in name only,
but in surrender,
in obedience,
and in the long,
quiet labor of being transformed.

“[God] has saved us
and called us to a holy calling,
not because of our works
but because of his own purpose
and grace,
which he gave us
in Christ Jesus
before the ages began.”
—2 Timothy 1:9 (ESV)

The Ordinary Path
is lit
for those who seek mercy,
memory,
and meaning.

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