The Lone Ranger

I enjoyed much on cowboys, guns, and horses when I was a little kid. . . especially “The Lone Ranger.”

The mask, the Indian, the horse that could speed like a bullet…these things captured my attention. I knew that this masked man stood for something and believed in something.

The goal these days is to seek change. We want everything to be new and improved. When change and improvement happens, our lives become faster paced and appear to become easier. Companies will change anything to make an extra buck. As if a Milky Way wasn’t already good enough, they went and added mint to the candy bar. They took a perfectly delicious M&M and put a pretzel inside. In their effort to make radical changes, I tend to scramble for something that is sure, steady, reliable, and stable. One statement in the Lone Ranger’s Creed is: All things change, but the truth, and the truth alone lives on forever.

Indeed, the Lone Ranger was driven and determined to know and uphold the truth. He stood for something and his way of dealing with things proved that he was forever seeking truth. My truth is God’s Word. II Timothy 3:16 says,

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is TRUE and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.”

I have a firm grasp on a Truth that surpasses all logic and reason. It is a Truth that covers my temptation—my anxiety—my fear—my pain. It is a Truth that looks beyond my fault and sees my need. It is a Truth that rejoices with me and weeps with me. It is a Truth that dwells within me and is demonstrated in my life. What is hidden in my heart cannot be snatched away.

As we muddle through our daily lives trying to fulfill our mission, we find ourselves in situations not so different than the Lone Ranger. We are called on to represent integrity and honor. People expect us to live up to certain expectations. We have to make decisions that are not always popular from the world’s perspective. Often, we wonder exactly how we are supposed to gracefully take care of all the priorities in our life. Another statement in the Lone Ranger’s Creed is: Everyone has within himself the power to make this a better world.

The Lone Ranger drew his power from a deep desire to seek justice. He relied on his best friend, Tonto to be committed and dedicated to the cause. His other strengths were his mysterious identity, his gun, and the famous horse, Silver. There was never a doubt that the Lone Ranger would make everything okay in the end.

I have within me the power to face each new day with joy and determination. Yes, God has called me to do specific ministries, to love people, to serve, and to live a life set apart from the world. This power comes through the promise declared in Acts 1:8,

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you.”

The Holy Spirit…it doesn’t come with a mysterious mask, a shiny gun, or a sleek stallion. It doesn’t even come with the promise of complete resolution at the end of a conflict. However, it does bring protection, peace of mind, and a perseverance to fight evil for the common good. In fact, I can be a Lone Ranger of the faith—and that makes me smile.

posted by: Will Ravelob at the PHIAA e-grp