Oh friends, how do we interpret this dark hour we are in?
Much less create and reinvent ourselves and businesses.
We are not without hope, even though for some all hope may seem lost.
I’m a ‘straight shooter’, so let me be completely honest.
I now believe that in the final analysis the “cure” for this Coronavirus Covid-19 Pandemic will have proven to be significantly worse, than the disease itself.
The cure’s devastation to lives, destruction of livelihoods, eradication of many business and the resulting suffering, poverty, and death of so many things is already happening.
As we are learning of the possible doom we face, do we interpret this dark hour we are in?
Personally, I turn to myth, i.e. story, for interpretation
myth | miTH | noun
1 a traditional story, especially one concerning the early history of a people or explaining some natural or social phenomenon, and typically involving supernatural beings or events.
For you see, it is in story that we can often find our direction, and yes hope!
As one author describes how to live life: ’life is a story that must be lived, NOT a problem to be solved’.
So how do we live into this story we now find ourselves in?
"Look to my coming, at first light, on the fifth day. At dawn… look to the East.” ~ Gandalf from The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
In The Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkein there comes a time when all the forces of evil and darkness are arrayed against a remnant of good hearted men and women who are “sheltering in place” in a fortress called Helm’s Deep. Sound familiar? Like hiding out from a killer virus?
There are these beings called Orcs and Uruk-hai that want to destroy them. Even the king is consumed by fear, all hope is lost, their destruction seems imminent. In fact, just before their last defense is breached and their final destruction is assured, there is this scene.
Watch this clip and let’s figure out how it can help you interpret your story.
Who are the Orcs for you?
If you observe the Orcs, not as beings, but as bills to pay with no income, loss of jobs, savings wiped out, home foreclosure, poverty, and worse; suddenly this story / clip becomes very relatable.
Another way to see the Orcs would be as feelings of defeat, depression, malaise, hopelessness, etc.;
or Orcs of isolation, hunger, stir crazy, and boredom;
or Orcs of addictions, violence, and anger;
all trying to take you out in some kind of way.
Are you getting the idea of how myth can begin to help you interpret?
So, who or what jumps out for you in this clip?
For me and the story I’m living right now, it’s King Theoden that jumps out at me when he asks, “What can man do against such reckless hate?”
I hear in that question a description of the reckless destruction myself, and so many of us are facing in this time of economic shutdown.
And then Aragorn’s answer: “Ride out! Ride out with me. Ride out to meet them… For Rohan (their country)!”
Aragorn inspires me. Something rises up in me as they do ride out.
They are doing something! Taking Action! So Entrepreneurial!!
For me Aragorn’s command awakens me. “Ride out!” What can I be doing right now in my current situation, even with restrictions?
We are designed to be part of something bigger than ourselves. What does that look like for me?
Sitting at home in despair and hopelessness, waiting on a government check is the worst doom.
What can I do? Create? How can I reinvent? Who can I be on the other side of this?
How do I / we win!?!
Use myth to interpret your story. Use it to help you decipher where you are in any given moment.
April 4 - 12, 2020
Has been described by officials as ‘the worst week’ we will face.
But wait, do you realize what week this is in real time?
How is it, that this dark hour falls in the week that Jews call Passover and Christians call Holy Week. A week that remembers a moment when all hope was lost, and then…
In a moment, just in the nick of time, God delivered. He saved the Israelites (Passover) and resurrected Jesus from the grave (Holy Week) resulting in Easter Sunday.
So, 2 things occur to me…
From The Two Towers and the Passover Deliverance and Holy Week Resurrection stories:
1. I will not sit around waiting or hoping for the government to save me. Because they can’t and won’t.
Instead, as Gandalf instructs I will “Look to my coming… look to the East.” for hope and possibilities.
There will be Deliverance from this plague and there will be Resurrected Life on the other side of this!
2. As Mr. A says to Max in The Next Level Entrepreneur:
“From our conversation you know that I have experienced many disappointments in my life, despite my successes.
Never forget what I told you: “As the signers of the Declaration of Independence relied on Divine Providence, so have I”.
And, it has made all the difference. For I have experienced much healing and freedom from my disappointments.” ~ page 41
I need both divine inspiration in what I can be doing and divine help in turning things around.
So, what can one do against such reckless devastation?
Begin interpreting where you are in this moment, use myth to help. Turn to the great stories. And ask:
“What is my role to play in the story I now find myself?”.
My hope and prayer is that I’ve given you some fresh perspective and inspiration!
And that you will choose to:
Ride Out!
Hope and Live.
To live as the person you are intended to be.
To Live Truly Free!
In this week of Passover and Resurrection, let's pray for our continued encouragement, hope, and freedom!
And P.S. If this post stirred something in you and you'd like to talk, click this link, pick a time and let’s chat!