Nobel No-bility


nob-1 copy It seems I needed a dose of my own medicine today. I woke up feeling sorry for myself (the story of why is not important). Early today I read some of my manuscript for RETOOLED (you can read a free chapter here) which is in the hands of another publisher bent on torturing me with a response. Anyway, I was reading a section on losing heart and felt strongly that I should share this with you all today...I hope it encourages you. – Jay

"True nobility is exempt from fear."
- (King Henry the Sixth, Part II Act IV, Scene I)

I love the movie Braveheart and it once spoke to me about nobility (Don’t judge me now). In my opinion the movie is a powerful metaphor for spiritual warfare. You have William Wallace leading the everyday folk in revolt against England, fighting for their freedom. Then you have Robert the Bruce, the leader of the Scottish Noblemen feeling the tug of joining the fight or staying the course of entitlement. His father (dying of leprosy) keeps whispering in his ear to bide his time, to wait for the right time to “rise up” but in reality is keeping his son from becoming a great leader.

Seeing this movie makes me think how much passivity makes us like Robert the Bruce. We get all inspired by a leader and want to run off and join a cause. BUT something reminds us of our holdings, the land and comfort we possess. We begin to believe the lie that the enemy is too strong and it’s not the right time for to be so bold. We think that if we’re patient, if we bide our time, then we can overthrow the enemy in our lives. The truth is that the waiting, the laying back, lulls us to inactivity and eventually spiritual slaughter. All we thought we possessed has actually fallen into enemy hands. We don’t realize how “occupied” we have become. It is worse than the disease that was wasting his father’s flesh; it’s the decay of true nobleness.

In the movie, the possibility of having their own freedom didn’t motivate the “nobles”. It meant risking losing what they already had. Contrast that to this Scripture in the book of Isaiah:

“But the noble thinks noble things; and by noble things he shall stand.” Isaiah 32:8

A noble heart is a willing and active heart, not one bound to passivity. It rises, willing to stand for what is right. Staying the course, and surrender to His will are some of the trademarks of a noble man. On the trail of obedience sons reflect their Father’s character, giving hope and marking the trail for those who follow. How do we give hope? By courageously coming alongside someone when they’re in need. By allowing someone’s voice to be heard when no one wants to listen. We mark the trail of hope by believing in someone when no one else will, everything the father’s does for us!

Nobility is indeed a positional marker of who we are in Christ but it is also an action. Your No-bility, is the power to say no to lesser things and yes to Kingdom things. That’s the inner strength needed in the daily fight for your heart. We need to be noble men, if there is a war for you heart; your wife’s and children’s heart are also on the hit list.

We bow our knees to only one KING…let’s make today matter. Lets be noble men, boldly fighting for His kingdom.

What about you…how’s your No-bility today? How can I pray for you?

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Comments

Sarah Cookingham said…
Thank you Dad, such a powerful reminder not to let the enemy have any ground in our hearts, but to come to God with everything, and obey and trust Him in all things! Love you!
Jay Cookingham said…
Thanks Honey...it's a reminder we all need! Love ya!
Dusty Rayburn said…
Thank you for the admonition and encouragement not to be passive. It is a needed reminder.
S. Etole said…
This is something I'd like to hear more about. Powerful, Jay!
jasonS said…
Yes! The time is right to be bold. Faith takes risks in the everyday. And I love that idea of No-bility. Great encouragement, Jay!
So many great points here. I especially like the idea of noble hearts and no-bility. We really need to practice that. And wait for the Lord to show what He has for us and not go about trusting our own abilities and misusing our gifts and time. Thanks for this reminder, Jay! Abundant blessings to you and yours!
Jay Cookingham said…
Thanks for sharing your insight Mari-Anna, I so appreciate your input...blessings!
Jay Cookingham said…
Amen...let our faith meet with His promises and watch will He will do it our lives! Thanks Jason.
Jay Cookingham said…
Passivity is a huge section in my book and we do need to win the battle against that! Bless ya Dusty!
Jay Cookingham said…
Thanks Susan...you bless me!
bill (cycleguy) said…
hey jay!  Busy day so I am late to this here party.  However, I do appreciate what you have written.  I want a noble heart.  I want to live out of nobility not fear or doubt.  You can pray for that for me, but you can also pray for stamina.  Thanks.  I soooo appreciate your wild heart. 
Jay Cookingham said…
You got it bro'...prayers coming your way!
TCAvey said…
Great message (and I love Braveheart)!

I needed to hear this- seems my family has been under attack lately! I keep having to tell satan, "Get behind me, I'm a child of the King!"
Jay Cookingham said…
Praying for you my friend...you are His kid...stand on that and rejoice!
TCAvey said…
 Thanks Jay, I appreciate it!
TCAvey said…
I hear you on the stamina Bill- it can get tough sometimes! 
floyd said…
Awesome post!!! I struggle for the lost who are scared into contentment in their lives. The lost aren't the sons of Nobility, they are the sons of fear. They are the ones who are delusional to the point of stupid, they are willing to give up their freedom for security, not realizing that to give up one is to give up both. 

The sons of God are the ones who live this life for what it is; temporary. Jesus gave us the power through His words, "I come to give life more abundantly," which means to live with fear of the Lord, not the men God controls...

Great job my brother, I stand beside and behind you by the strength He provides.
Ed said…
Awesome post Jay. Unfortunately Passiveness and I are freinds. Pray that I can rise from this and get active in so many areas! Thanks!
Jay Cookingham said…
Good words Floyd and I appreciate the support bro'!
Dan Black said…
Great post man. I'm doing good and am glad I have Godly people in my life for when I need support and encouragement. 
Jay Cookingham said…
Thanks Dan! So very cool that you have the support of Godly people in your life...many men don't or son't want it. The truth is...we all need it! Bless ya bro'
Michael said…
Thoroughly enjoyed the post, my friend. Truth has a certain ring to it, a ring of authenticity. And the truth is, fear too often keeps us in check, treading water, neither slipping beneath the waves nor pushing ourselves to make shore on the beach of our heart's desire. God is faithful. Even for Robert the Bruce there was a process of growth, of strengthening of both desire and the faith to act on his desire. It's the same for us. Father places desires in our hearts then patiently grows us into their fullness at the proper time.

Can we miss out when that time comes? Sure. God didn't make us robots. But neither should we fail to recognize that God extends to His frail children opportunity after opportunity after opportunity to enter into what He has for us.

As long as we have Jesus, there is hope...
Dan Black said…
So true about all needing it. 
Jay Cookingham said…
Yep, we sure do bro'....thanks Dan!
Jay Cookingham said…
I'm grateful for the opportunistic moments God gives us and how He invites us into this marvelous adventure with Him. Thanks Bro'!
Joanne Norton said…
AMEN!!!   I agree very intensely.  I never saw the movie [couldn't possibly have watched it; I can't watch anything with violence], BUT I agree with the basic theory.  As you know, I'm a fairly intense person most of the time.  Need to be a little more "sweetness and light" but probably not until I'm in heaven.
Jay Cookingham said…
It is a violet movie for sure...but it has so many positive messages. We could all use more sweetness and light my sister!

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