Take Up Your Cross and . . .

This article was commissioned by Intercessors for America.

We are living through a series of historic moments that, when combined and perceived years from now, will portray the battle for this country's soul. 

As Donald Trump walked onto the stage on the final night of the Republican National Convention, he was a visibly changed man.  Just five days after being shot, the look in his eyes was more captivating than the prominent bandage over his ear. He appeared genuinely humbled, a trait most would not ascribe to him. 

His novel down-to-earthness could not be mistaken for weakness or fear because it was manifestly tethered to an up-from-heaveness:

I'm not supposed to be here.  I stand before you in this arena only by the grace of almighty God.

~ Donald Trump at the RNC

With astounding calm, confidence, and visible gratefulness, he delivered a speech that transcended politics, surpassed personality, and did something rarely seen in the public square:  It offered an invitation to courage. 

A near-death experience does that to a person. It's like being at an eye exam when the optometrist flips the lens you are looking through: 

Which is better, this one [flip] or this one?

In this case, the [flip] was an assassin's bullet. 

I could have died five times in my life. I overdosed so severely on Ibuprofen in an Ironman race that my doctor told me, "I've seen people die in very stupid ways.  You almost died in the stupidest way possible." 

While free-soloing a cliff in college, I had to hang from a crack in the rock for an hour awaiting rescue. In 1996, on Denali, I broke a golden rule of alpine mountaineering and began to slide down the face of the mountain to the glacier 4000 feet below.  By the grace of almighty God, I miraculously grabbed a fixed line I was not clipped into and self-arrested my fall.  

I was also in two severe car accidents.  In one, the voice of The Lord spoke to me seconds before the crash, and that divine directive saved my life. 

These events are branded upon my soul in tangible and unforgettable ways, so profoundly that memories flash at the most unexpected times. Just ask anyone who has driven with me.

A most remarkable observation of Donald Trump's speech: He did not give off a hint of PTSD. There he was, essentially reenacting the assassination event by standing behind a podium in front of tens of thousands of people, yet he entirely owned the moment. Bravery is not the right word to describe what we saw, although it was brave. Something altogether different was on display for those curious enough to lay down their arms and seek it. 

The media pundits who are telling us the assassination attempt was a staged photo opp or that Biden contracting Covid is equivalent to Trump getting shot are not only holding tightly to their weapons: Their consciences are seared to a crisp. 

Both David Dutch and James Copenhaver were critically wounded at the rally, and Corey Comperatore was killed at the scene. As Trump described talking with each of their families, we could hear it in his voice: He knew how dreadfully close he came to experiencing the same plight.  

Be leery of those who frame this story around political victory or loss. There is a profoundly more urgent matter at hand: We are the audience to wicked spiritual rulers vying for our attention, aiming to lure our minds and secure our devotion. This is why we should always invite the Holy Spirit to help us understand and discern events beyond the headlines, chyrons, and memes.

When I look at the picture of Trump bleeding on the ground behind the podium, I hear Jesus' words: 

Take up your cross [flip] and follow me.

Matthew 16:24

Say what you will, this man carries a cross few would dare attempt. We may never know everything that happened while he was on the ground, dog-piled by Secret Service agents.  But I do believe it was a baptism of sorts, and when he emerged with his latest cross set firm upon his shoulders, he arose as a new man.  And our collective prayer should be that he will follow Jesus like he never has before.

These are not just words about a presidential candidate you may support or resist. These are the sights and sounds of an invitation presented to each of us — every day. 

This hour's metaphors, principles, revelation, and inspirational signposts are endless, so now, more than ever, may we understand and perceive the times we live in.  May we pray for our leaders and ask The Lord to heal our nation.  And may we desire to embrace the [flip], arise, and walk humbly with our God.