“Almost Home”…

SCRIPTURE: “But whatever happens… I WILL RUN.” (2 Samuel 18:23) 

OBSERVATION: Ahimaaz, son of Zadok, was a Frontlines Messenger commissioned to bring good news to the King. But this was not that day. The King’s son was dead. Absolam had been impaled by not one but three spears through the heart, while hanging from a tree.

How, you may ask? A turn of events sent this rebellious son and so-called leader into the thicket of the great oaks by his spooked mule that kept on running from fear of David’s soldiers in pursuit. The arms of the great oak trees violently ripped Absolam from the saddle hanging by his hair, helpless… You can’t make this stuff up?! It’s almost like Treebeard from Fangorn Forest leading the Last March of The Ents in the LOTR… Hehe, well maybe not 😉

Back in the General’s Tent, stood two young men. The Cushite received his marching orders to bring King David the bitter news. Victory was his, but at the cost of his son’s life.  As the Cushite ran out of the tent to complete his mission, there remained another standing at attention. Ahimaaz stood by as an unqualified messenger. You see, his job was to run with Good News. This was not his race to run. Yet his request broke the silence in an unconventional way:

Then Ahimaaz the son of Zadok said, “Please let me run and bring the king news that the Lord has freed him from the hand of his enemies.” ²⁰ But Joab said to him, “You are not the man to carry news this day, but you shall carry news another day; however, you shall carry no news today because the king’s son is dead.” ²¹ Then Joab said to the Cushite, “Go, tell the king what you have seen.” So the Cushite bowed to Joab and ran. ²² Now Ahimaaz the son of Zadok said once more to Joab, “But whatever happens, please let me also run after the Cushite.” And Joab said, “Why would you run, my son, since you will have no reward for going?” ²³ “But whatever happens,” he said, “I will run.” So he said to him, “Run.” Then Ahimaaz ran by way of the plain and passed up the Cushite.

APPLICATION: “But whatever happens… I will run.”

I’ve been thinking about this principle of being a Frontlines Messenger for decades.  I’ve journaled multiple times about Ahimaaz’ story. Recently, the movie 1917 was an epic adventure that put my imagination of Trench Warfare and these Runners on the screen.  If you haven’t seen it. Go watch it… Today!

Every Christian has a calling this side of heaven that will carry over throughout eternity. Hearts carry the life saving message of Jesus Christ into their spheres of influence. The Good News travels with us, even to the most remote corners of the world. Over the years and even recently, I’ve been inspired by meeting men and women who share their faithfulness following Jesus in their Family, Business, Studies, Marriage, Ministry, Missionary adventures and more…

So for me, this morning… I suppose I’m reminded of the “Why” behind the running.  Ahimaaz respected those in authority by asking for permission to run. When he was told no, that it wasn’t in his job description, Ahimaaz declared that he was going to run the race no matter what.

It was his heart’s cry and passion that fueled his desire to run with all his might to be beside his King when the Cushite brought the bitter news from the frontlines. I want to be that man. How about you? Does your heart beat a bit faster at the thought of giving it all you have for the ones you love? I’ve been there.

But what happens when you’ve been on the frontlines far too long? Some give up. Some are casualties of war. Some are prisoners of war. Others are the rare few that travel through all of those life chapters and more… and yet, Never Give Up.

They somehow got back up again and again and again… & are still running the race?! This is a glimpse into my story. I am Eric Richard Robison, a Bible Communicator & Bridge Builder.  A Gentle General in the Kingdom.

Scars and all… I’m still running my race. Doesn’t make sense. Unconventional at best. Misunderstood by most. Yet, now more than ever, I have a conviction and passion to run the race for an audience of one.  I run with and follow Jesus.

“Off the Map” was a phrase I titled this blog to journal my journeys with Jesus years ago. After nearly 7 years into this adventure, I’m more confident now than ever that I’m on the right path and pace.  It may not look nor feel like it at times. That’s ok. Good stories have protagonists, antagonists, conflict, betrayal, victory and a message that withstands time.

In order to have such a song and a story… I’ve chosen to never give up.  I’ve chosen to count the cost. I’ve chosen to give my life time and time and time again for legacy sake. My heart cry over the years on this platform to Jesus is simply “Make it Count”….

In other words, “But Whatever Happens… I Will Run.”

I have a Song & a Story… So Do You!

I cracked my Bible open the other night on my nightstand when I couldn’t sleep and read the words of King David that pretty much sums it up:

“I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry.
² He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire.
He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along.
³ He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see what he has done and be amazed.
  They will put their trust in the Lord.” (Psalm 40:1-3)

All of us are Wayfaring Strangers in this land. However, don’t for a moment believe the journey is for not! Our lives this side of heaven, if placed in the hands of Jesus, will have eternal impact. Lives depend on it.

Did you hear it too?… That kick to the side followed by a voice overhead waking me out of my slumber, “Robison… Pick a Man. Bring Your Kit.” Now we both stand at attention in the General’s Tent. I’ve been on the Frontlines… I know what awaits us… and yet my heart cry remains, “Whatever Happens… I Will Run.”

Are you with me?

PRAYER:  Jesus… Make it Count. WAYFARING STRANGER

“Now It’s Personal”…

SCRIPTURE:  ^“Answer me, O Lord, answer me, that this people may know that You, O Lord, are God, and that You have turned their heart back again.” (1 Kings 18:37)

OBSERVATION:  After years of no rain & drought, Elijah finally picked a fight with the demonic realm by summoning 850 false priests who were leading people astray.  He mocked them for hours as they worked themselves into a frenzy, crying out to gods who never existed.

Elijah enjoyed the show a little too much by mocking their false gods saying they need to shout louder, maybe their gods are sleeping or going to the bathroom?  I like this guy! 😏

These occult leaders began cutting themselves and more to evoke fire from heaven to burn their prepared altar as proof of their gods’ existence.  People had gathered all around this showdown as the final demonstration of giving themselves to whichever god showed up.  They were desperate for an answer to their suffering due to the horrific drought.

Elijah waited until the evening and then made his move.  After building an altar to God with 12 stones representing the 12 Tribes of Israel, preparing the sacrifice, cutting the wood for fuel, Elijah shocked everyone with what he did next… especially in the middle of a 3 year drought!

He called everyone closer to inspect his work and then dug a trench around the altar and asked for 4 large jars of water to be emptied out 3 separate times over his altar drenching the wood and filling the trench to overflowing.

Even if he had a match to light this BBQ, it wouldn’t have worked… and everyone knew it!

Beside the drenched woodpile, the gallons of water dripping over the stones and through the trench towards muddy sandals… stood a Man.  A Believer.  A Prophet.  Elijah.  His gaze into the night sky hushed hearts as thousands of eyes stared in wonder at what would happen next.

Some stared in hate, others in hope…

As Elijah took a deep breath before the plunge, he knew there was no turning back.  He would live or die on what came next. Betting his life on the authentic relationship he had experienced with the Living God, Elijah emptied his heart before The Great I AM, Yahweh!

Elijah’s Request?  “ANSWER ME!”

The Result?  “CONSUMING FIRE!”

APPLICATION:  All of us will at times find ourselves fumbling through a season of drought. No rain. No blessing.  No hope.  At least, that is how it feels.  What Jesus is looking for are sons and daughters who will follow Him through any season, seeking the Father’s heart for the “Why’s” for it.

Bitterness and Blame usually surface during dry times.  At this stage of life and relationship with God, I don’t want to be that man.  I want to be more like Elijah.  A Man.  A Believer.  A Prophet.  Eric.

I want my life to count.  I want to understand why God allows me to go through certain seasons and what my role is in and through it.  The answer is always on its way.  Believe it or not, Jesus is working the most in so-called seasons of dryness, drought… ‘Hiddenness’

When we least expect it, Jesus will call us out of the crowd to stand on behalf of the people we care about and cash in all that we know in one act of faith.  Why?  So people will know that God is real and to call hearts back to God and each other.

With all eyes on Elijah, Fire/Lightning came down from heaven and consumed the altar, sacrifice, stones, dirt and all traces of water.  God SHOWED UP!  The people fell on their faces and declared God was real!  …Awesome!

Today, I’m encouraged that Jesus always has a way to redeem difficult seasons.  He has a plan to make it count. He has a way to bring hearts back to Him in and through difficult circumstances.  What He is looking for, are sons and daughters who will choose to remain faithful to follow Him through those seasons.  Few do.

When we say Yes to a life of faith, God will eventually call us out to stand our ground.  Albeit uncomfortable, lonely and intimidating as can be sometimes… Jesus’ presence will change everything.

Jesus showed up in my 3 years of dryness and drought.  He answered me! He silenced my enemies.  And shattered their strategies.  Now Jesus is bringing hearts back to Him in and through it.  It’s who He is.  The Great I am, Yahweh… Jesus!

I’m so excited to be in this season of victory!  I can’t wait to see what comes next!  Jesus will honor me for I have honored Him.  He has already begun this.  My prayers have been answered one by one over the past 4 years.

Now It’s Personal.

Jesus knows the prayers I have held close to my heart for myself, my future, my family and more… It’s time.  I recognize my drought is over.  Hearts have turned back to Jesus.

Now I’m praying, preparing and looking in faith on the horizon for evidence of things unseen.  Can you see it?  Can you feel it?  Keep looking!  Jesus is on the move.  A new season of blessing is here!  For you and me!

PRAYER:  Jesus, thank You for answering me.  Thank you for showing up when I needed Your presence above all else. Thank You for making it count. Now at this point in my life, I recognize that You are calling me out of the crowd.  To make a stand.  To gaze expectantly to the heavens and ask for a miracle. You know what’s on my heart.  You put it there.  May You show up again with a consuming fire.  I want to burn for You brighter than before.  Lives depend on it.  I receive this new season and ask for Your presence to go before me.  Lead the way.  I still choose to Follow You, Off the Map!

“Captain of My Heart”…

SCRIPTURE: “Deep calls to deep at the sound of Your waterfalls; All Your breakers and Your waves have rolled over me.  The Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime; And His song will be with me in the night, A prayer to the God of my life.” (Psalm 42:7-8)

OBSERVATION: The Psalmist declares truth about the power of nature and how it parallels with what we go through spiritually, emotionally, mentally and even physically at times. On this side of heaven, we get beat up by forces outside of us and wonder where God is in all of it. But if you understand who Jesus is and what He is doing in the process, you will not fight it.

APPLICATION:  Everyone goes through distress in order to reach their destiny (Graham Cooke).

If you trust Jesus and choose to follow Him wholeheartedly, you will have opportunities to submit to His leadership when you don’t understand any of it.  Trust Him anyway!

Jesus will not only lead you through the darkness found at these depths but He will lead you up out of it. Once you surface from these depths, your heart is tested, tried and found true in order for Jesus to entrust you with the destiny He created you for.

The question is, will you trust Him in the deep and dark places in order to surface in victory?  Few do.

Life can over power you if you don’t understand who God is.  You will implode from the pressures of life and fight anything and anyone who brings distress in your life if you don’t understand God’s motives.

I’m a leadership nerd and have been thinking through this life lesson and applying it in my life.  In fact, I have been for several years.  Now, I am determined to pass this final test as I enter into 2017.  It’s my hour of defining who Eric Richard Robison is.  In the hidden places.  In the deep places.  In the dark places.

This process is everything I prayed for… and yet I almost missed my opportunity.

Submarine Captains.  They don’t fear depth.  They fear bad information.  They don’t have time for BS. Captains trust their crew to do their job, think critically, bring accurate information and to give their life in the moment of battle if need be. Lives depend on it.

So, for me… well as you can tell, I think in parables a lot.  Blame Jesus.  It worked for Him 😉

I am the Captain of My Heart.

I choose to view my heart as a Submarine Captain would.  I need to know the exact condition of my heart. Every section of the hull, valves, chambers, batteries and torpedoes… all of it.  I am learning there are parts of myself that will not survive the process of training and campaigns this side of heaven.  I must be willing to give my life when called upon.  Most of the time everything in me will be screaming to fight it.  However it’s in those moments of surrender to Jesus that define me.

The choice is mine.  Will I be ready?

In moments of crisis, there are competing voices within.  I must deal with each of them within my heart in seasons of training before testing.  As the Captain of my heart, I alone am responsible for those calls…

It’s taken a while, but I’ve acclimated to the depths at which Jesus has led me to live for this season.  Few survive without imploding and yet, I believe there are deeper depths to navigate.  However, Jesus isn’t about leaving us in dark places.  No.  He has a plan and a purpose.

It’s my job as the Captain of my heart to pray and plan until I have that ‘Aha’ moment of hope penned out on paper.  It might seem impossible and unconventional at best… yet those moments led by the Holy Spirit always bring God the glory. He not only wants us to survive, He wants us to be victorious!

Jesus always makes a way!

Only Jesus knows the end from the beginning.  So I choose to look to Him in times of testing.  It’s not that He has forgotten me.  No.  It’s quite the opposite.  I am in this place because He loves me and trusts me to do His will.  The question is, will I trust Him when He asks me to lead through it? I may have every voice within me telling me not to obey Jesus.. but lives depend on it.  I want to be found faithful.

If I am faithful to follow Jesus against all odds, I will experience what few do.  The miraculous.  I want to live a life marked by the presence of God.  I want victory in my life and for my family for generations to come. I want legacy.  This takes work.  Legacy doesn’t just happen.  Legacy takes purposeful living.  When the opportune moments present themselves, it takes Captains who trust Jesus enough to carry out the orders.  Especially when no one else agrees with you!

For me, I must silence every area of my heart that disagrees with these orders.  I must realize that I love each crewman within my own heart.  And yet, in those defining moments and seasons of process… there will be areas in my heart that must be willing to make the sacrifice for the sake of the mission.  I must be ok with that as a Captain.  Easier said than done, but it’s part of maturing.  Spirit or Flesh?… this is not a democracy!

When it counts, will I pull the Trigger?…

The enemy was defeated and the crew was saved because of Crewman Trigger’s sacrifice.  He knew if he didn’t pull that last lever and regain torpedo pressure, that they would all die.  Victory often demands sacrifice.

When I was younger and untested, I thought I was ready for whatever life would bring me.  I was wrong. I now know what it takes to let go of loved ones and command areas of my heart to yield to the mission instead of survival.  There will be casualties.  As the Captain of my heart, I now understand more about the price of following Jesus.  I still trust Jesus at His word.  He is faithful.

I pray and prepare now for what is ahead of me.  When my moments of testing arrive, I hope I am found faithful to pull the trigger in obedience and sacrifice if I have to.  This is not a democracy.  I choose to follow Jesus and His best for my life.

PRAYER:  Jesus, I realize from where I’ve come from.  I have an idea where You are leading me… and it’s good!  Very good!  Many of my seasons of testing have passed.  Sections of my heart did not survive.  You know the depths of this.  And yet, You will make it all count.  I trust You.

So now, in this season of blessing.  May I be found faithful.  May You be proud of me and the decisions I have made and will make for legacy’s sake.  I choose to follow You into these depths in order to experience the principal of ascent velocity!  Once You have prepared my heart for what is in my future, You will release me to soar at great heights with smooth water landings – So excited!  Until then… Lead on.  I choose to follow You, Captain my Captain!

“Life of Legacy”…

SCRIPTURE: “Next in rank among the Three was Eleazar son of Dodai, a descendant of Ahoah. Once Eleazar and David stood together against the Philistines when the entire Israelite army had fled.  He killed Philistines until his hand was too tired to lift his sword, and the Lord gave him a great victory that day. The rest of the army did not return until it was time to collect the plunder!” (2 Samuel 23:9-10)

OBSERVATION: King David had thousands of men serving in the ranks of his army, but he had a select few that led them.  “David’s Mightiest Warriors” were simple men with hearts that did not know the word, “Quit”.  They fought the longest and hardest until the battle was over.  They did not let fear get the best of them.  They knew what must be done and did it, no matter the personal cost.  They put their life on the line when it counted most.  These were the few men that toed the line of sacrifice and self-surrendering in such a way that broke the back of the enemy’s advancement.  I long to be such a man…

APPLICATION:  This morning, I’m sitting outside in the sunshine with birds singing as they fly above me in the coastal blue skies at our friend’s beach house.  Doesn’t seem like much of a frontline of a warrior does it?  No, it isn’t… and I’m so glad for it.  Even Easy Company needed to go for a swim under their leader’s orders to rest from the unthinkable battle and loss they endured.

I’m not a legendary warrior in King David’s army.  I’m not a member of Easy Company under Captain Richard’s command.  I’m a simple man from a small town who has given my heart fully to Jesus Christ.  I have dedicated my life to follow Jesus wherever He leads me, even if it’s off the map.  Over the years, I have seen the chapters of my life unfold with high points of celebration and the deepest pits of despair.  But on looking back at those life-chapters, I’m encouraged by one truth…that Jesus was with me every step of the way. He never left me.  He will never leave me.

As I sit here and write this journal, I am declaring the victory and peace that my kids & I…my family… are experiencing now is because of God’s faithfulness. But I’m also very aware of the difficult choices I have made that brought me to this place of rest. The bible says in Ecclesiastes that there is a season for everything.  This has been a season of warfare for me.  The most intense battle I’ve ever experienced and ever hope to experience.  What I have just come out of, I wish on no one.  I didn’t ask for this.  It was hurled upon my kids & I.  I had little control of the situation.  I felt out of control and in a blur with a myriad of attacks simultaneously hitting me from all directions.  But I had no time to retreat and gather my thoughts.  There was no time.  War was upon me!  All I could do was decide what I would do in the midst of it.

Eleazar, this mighty warrior, stood with King David and fought the enemy until his hand had to be peeled away from it.  He swung the sword against the enemy when everyone else had run for their lives.  He made up his mind that this was the moment that would define him as a man & warrior.  Eleazar took inventory of the enemy’s advances and the reality that he was alone and was probably going to die.  But he decided that he was going to die standing his ground for his freedom and for the people he loved.

With the ground shaking from boots on the ground advancing towards him, Eleazar must have felt something deep within his heart rise up… he knew this was probably going to be the death of him.  It wasn’t a matter of dying, it was a matter of how he was going to die. This is the one thing that he had control of.  And so this one decision to stand his ground rose from his heart until his sandals twisted the ground beneath him as he prepared to make his advance.  This unconventional choice to die with all the strength he had within him, rose up until he couldn’t help but break a sideways smile as he gripped his sword, knuckles white ready for battle until he drew breath in his lungs and let out a warrior’s cry that resounded in the hearts of heaven.  God saw a man willing to put it all on the line for the people he loved.  He was willing to stand his ground and die swinging the sword until he could no longer either by death or exhaustion.  So be it!  He would not retreat.  He would die a warrior’s death.  This was his choice alone to make.  And it is ours to make today…

I am a man that has made a similar decision as Eleazar.  Jesus told me at the beginning of all this, that this was a season.  I though that meant a different ending than this, but here I am none-the-less.  The season to go to war is over.  This is a season of peace.  I too made the decision to fight for the ones I love. There have been casualties and I bear the scars of these battles.  I too made a decision to stand my ground for the ones I love. I chose to fight with all I had within me.  I knew that I would die.  It was a matter of how I would die.  I chose to give all I am to Jesus and to swing the sword with all my might, strength until I had none.  And in the face of fear when I realize that I’m not enough…to fight by Spirit!  I am a Robison.  I don’t quit.

This post-war season of peace is healing. Although everyday I have frontline flashbacks and sometimes reach for my scars as the pain rises up again in the healing.  But as this morning, I am reminded in reading God’s word that I’m not alone.  I have many friends who mentor me in peacetime from the wisdom of the ages, The Bible.  Someday, I will walk with these Mighty Warriors and hear first hand about their adventures that have inspired me this side of heaven.

But what brings me to tears this morning is my hope that the way I have decided to die by swinging the sword and standing my ground for the ones I love will glorify God and inspire others to give their best to Jesus even in the midst of unspeakable fear.  My hands had to be peeled away from my sword by a select, trusted few.  My armor needed to be taken off and my wounds washed in the tent of healing.  It has taken months… I have emerged from this tent of healing a different, yet better man.

I am now on the shores of my promise land with my kids.  It is a new season for us.  It is my prayer in the years to come, that I may hear my kids share how their lives were forever changed for the better by watching me give my all during this past season of warfare.  It is my prayer that my kids, and someday grandkids, will walk with me and give God glory about how we followed Jesus through this season.

I don’t want to be known so much as a Mighty Warrior.  My heart’s desire has, is and always will be… to be a man of faith & legacy following Jesus.  Since I was a little boy I knew I wanted to be married and have a family.  This is my heart’s desire and legacy. This legacy has been violently attacked.  Even though there has been casualties and an end of one season… there is now a new hope.  Jesus has brought us to a new beginning and the edge of a bright future in this place of peace and blessing.  I am so grateful.

PRAYER:  Jesus, may You continue to write my story in such a way that glorifies You. May these scars I bear be held by your nail-scarred hands.  You understand.  And You are the only one that sees the end from the beginning.  So I entrust my life and legacy to You once again today.  I thank You Jesus for bringing me through such a season…with a new heart, a new hope and a future that will be written by You and You alone.  It cost me everything to follow You Jesus…but it is and will be worth it.  I trust You and choose to follow You off the map today.  So be it.  I choose a life of legacy.