Kristie
Weeks
Resonate Church Missoula
Campus Multiplier
One of my favorite scenes in the Lord of the Rings series is when Aragorn prepares his troops for battle as the Black Gate, revealing a sea of enemies, opens on the border of Mordor. In order to divert attention from Frodo & Sam as they race to destroy the ring and end the pervasive spread of evil across the land, Aragorn rallies the men before him by saying this:
‘Sons of Gondor! Of Rohan! My brothers. I see in your eyes the same fear that would take the heart of me. A day may come when the courage of men fails. When we forsake our friends & break all bonds of fellowship, but it is not this day. An hour of wolves and shattered shields when the age of men comes crashing down, but it is not this day! This day we fight! By all that you hold dear on this good earth, I bid you stand, men of the west!’
This scene gives me chills every time I watch it. My whole life, stories of men and women risking everything for the sake of seeing good conquer evil has gripped me. Stories of unwavering bravery like in the Fellowship of the Ring captivate me. Stories like that of Harry Potter forsaking comfort to end Voldemort’s cruelty to innocent people enthrall me. Aslan’s tangible power in The Chronicles of Narnia, rooted in goodness, and his joy in giving himself up for a scattered people inspires me. Kelsier’s determination in the Mistborn Series to grow, be stretched, and create a better life for the oppressed he sees everyday mesmerizes me. These tales depict the bravery, sacrificial love, adventure, friendship, and devotion to a cause bigger than oneself that I have always longed for.
‘Sons of Gondor! Of Rohan! My brothers. I see in your eyes the same fear that would take the heart of me. A day may come when the courage of men fails. When we forsake our friends & break all bonds of fellowship, but it is not this day. An hour of wolves and shattered shields when the age of men comes crashing down, but it is not this day! This day we fight! By all that you hold dear on this good earth, I bid you stand, men of the west!’
This scene gives me chills every time I watch it. My whole life, stories of men and women risking everything for the sake of seeing good conquer evil has gripped me. Stories of unwavering bravery like in the Fellowship of the Ring captivate me. Stories like that of Harry Potter forsaking comfort to end Voldemort’s cruelty to innocent people enthrall me. Aslan’s tangible power in The Chronicles of Narnia, rooted in goodness, and his joy in giving himself up for a scattered people inspires me. Kelsier’s determination in the Mistborn Series to grow, be stretched, and create a better life for the oppressed he sees everyday mesmerizes me. These tales depict the bravery, sacrificial love, adventure, friendship, and devotion to a cause bigger than oneself that I have always longed for.
Despite seeing these admirable values in fantasy stories, I’ve always struggled to find these characteristics lived out in a pure manner in real life. At a young age, a hero like that in the stories but better found me; one who is loving, sacrificial, brave, and respectable. I had found my Hero in Jesus Christ through His love for me shown in His death and resurrection for me. I had experienced unworldly gifts like peace, healing, and unconditional love. Although this is cause for celebration in some ways, this grasping of something as inscrutable as the wind left me confused. It left me feeling disjointed, because I realized how poignant the juxtaposition was of having a life with these attributes while surrounded by those who lacked it. So I began searching for others who’d met a hero like that from the stories but better in Jesus and His resurrection.
5 years after graduating from the University of Montana, I met the staff at Resonate Church Missoula. I saw them uphold Biblical truths that defy societal norms while treating every person as someone worth pursuing with Jesus’ love. They failed to treat people like a bullet on a checklist and instead embodied Jesus’ healing love in everyday moments. They were brave to share the gospel, and they were committed to a story bigger than themselves, the most important story. It’s now been 2 years since I joined staff, and it is my greatest honor to introduce people to Jesus, a hero greater than that in the stories. My prayer is that by being on staff, my life would be used to invite people into a story and love better than they could ask for or imagine. Soli Deo Gloria!
5 years after graduating from the University of Montana, I met the staff at Resonate Church Missoula. I saw them uphold Biblical truths that defy societal norms while treating every person as someone worth pursuing with Jesus’ love. They failed to treat people like a bullet on a checklist and instead embodied Jesus’ healing love in everyday moments. They were brave to share the gospel, and they were committed to a story bigger than themselves, the most important story. It’s now been 2 years since I joined staff, and it is my greatest honor to introduce people to Jesus, a hero greater than that in the stories. My prayer is that by being on staff, my life would be used to invite people into a story and love better than they could ask for or imagine. Soli Deo Gloria!