Last night, as I was digging through an old drawer, I found a piece of paper upon which I had scribbled out some thoughts for a parable way back in 2006. So I decided to dust it off and write it out. Here it goes for what its worth.
PARABLE OF THE YOUNG KNIGHTS
Once upon a time, there was a great and mighty King. His Kingdom was vast, varied and spanned the globe. He was merciful, loving and kind. All who followed him and came to know him loved the King and desired to serve him. From among those followers the King selected several young men and called them to be Knights. All of them felt inadequate to the calling and the tasks which were laid before them, but the King had faith in them and could see their potential and expressed his deep confidence in them.
To assist them in their training the King established a regular daily and weekly program of training. During this training they were taught defense tactics and learned how to identify the adversaries to the King - the evil dragon and his minions. They were given instructions how to be aware of and avoid the traps which the enemy might use against them. But they were also trained in how to fight offensively against the enemy and better serve the King and his subjects throughout the land. They were given access to a vast armory with shields, swords, armor, maps of the kingdom, and where experienced guides were stationed who knew the land and could help guide them in their service.
After a period of training one young Knight finally received his assignment to represent the King, protect the weak, serve those in need and to put down opposition as he was able. He was to avoid conflict if possible and solve problems with kindness, but not be afraid to fight for what was right to further the efforts of the King. Still somewhat unsure, but desirous to serve the King he loved, the young Knight left armed and full of good intentions.
But he soon discovered as he journeyed through the kingdom, that being dressed and clothed as a representative of the King caused him to be more easily recognized by the King’s enemies. They planned and laid skillful traps and besieged him much more than the commoners around him.
The young knight valiantly defended himself and fought them back, but in his battles his armor was damaged, he lost his sword, and he sustained several wounds. The King’s enemies ridiculed and mocked him in his defeats and inexperience and some even invited him to forsake the King’s service and instead come and join them in their destructive escapades.
Limping back to the castle, beaten, sore, confused and discouraged, the young Knight was taken back into the King’s castle. His wounds were tended and mended and he was given additional training, re-armed and once again sent out to represent the King once more.
This process repeated itself week after week, and over time, the young Knight continued to grow stronger and gain more wisdom and experience. He became more knowledgeable of the terrain and more easily able to recognize and avoid the snares of the King’s adversaries. He was able to fend off or avoid attacks until eventually he became skilled enough that the enemies to the King had little or no advantage over him. As he regularly returned to the King’s palace he was continually trained and re-armed and gained further knowledge from both the King and the his advisers.
As he interacted with the King and continued to faithfully serve him, the young Knight gradually learned what it meant to be a King and how to serve with strength and stability, but also with love and compassion. The King’s wisdom, confidence and encouragement empowered him to serve valiantly, and over time he became esteemed by the people who came to recognize that he truly represented the King and could feel the King’s love and protection for them through the Knight’s humble service among them. And he found he was not alone as he developed friendships and strength from among the other faithful Knights in the King’s service. Theirs was a unique brotherhood and bond and strengthened their love for the King.
But among the group of young Knights who had been selected, there were some who were less committed and more fearful. Among this group was one such less-devoted Knight who initially went to the training sessions, but only did so as a show and to gain recognition, not because he was committed in his love or service to the King. He hadn’t really come to know the King personally, and was therefore more interested in how this position might advance him in his personal goals.
He began to avoid some of the King’s commands which seemed more difficult, and did not walk openly among the people in his Knight’s clothing so as to avoid confrontation and service to others. He set aside his armor and weapons when it wasn’t convenient so he could blend in and was less recognizable and therefore could find more time of leisure and common, personal pursuits.
But despite this path of complacency and lack of internal commitment to serve the King, he was still recognized by the King’s enemies. Traps were laid and this less faithful Knight was caught and beaten. His weapons and armor were taken and he was eventually released.
Ashamed at the loss of his armor and weapons, and nursing deep wounds, he refused to return to the King to receive further training and be re-armed. He feared the King and the other Knights would be disappointed in him and that he might actually be punished for his follies and prior lack of commitment.
Renouncing his Knighthood, he left living within the castle grounds in attempt to be lost among the commoners. But despite all of these efforts, the enemies to the King still recognized him after a time. But now, without weapons or armor to defend himself and lacking purpose, he was buffeted, beaten at will and eventually one day found himself fleeing in the deep, dark woods where the Dragon himself fell upon him with slashing talons, razor-sharp teeth, and fiery breath and he was left for dead.
And sadly, this young Knight was not the only one who suffered this fate. Others suffered similarly along their own paths and varied degrees of commitment.
But this is not the end of this young Knight’s story. For though he had walked away from the castle, the King still loved him and knew of his potential and refused to abandon him. He sent his valiant Knights searching throughout the kingdom in search of this lost and wayward servant. When they found him, they lovingly invited him back to the castle where the physicians could tend to his wounds. There he could be redressed in fine clothing, given further education, and even brought back into the King’s presence.
Worried and ashamed the young, fallen Knight feared the King would not receive him back into the castle, but the kind and patient reassurance of the valiant Knights who truly served the King and exhibited His qualities eventually convinced him to try to return. There were moments of doubt and feeling uncomfortable, and there were some servants within the castle, who lacked understanding and wisdom, who looked down on him with shame. But those who truly represented the King, continued to reassure him and encourage him and brought him back into the King’s presence, where the young man was received in the King’s loving embrace.
The King once again restored his confidence in himself and told him that all was forgotten and in the past, and offered that if he would once again commit to serve him, his station as a Knight and representative of the King would be fully restored.
They young man found healing and restoration in the King’s loving presence and was able to return to service, and because of his past experiences, he became invaluable in being able to help others learn of the King’s loving nature and gather them into the King’s castle where they could receive protection and blessings.
These valiant Knights sadly realized that as they searched out the King’s lost servants, not all would come back into the castle. Many were too complacent with where they were living and others had actually joined the cause of the dragon and his minions and were now openly fighting against the King and using their knowledge of the castle to help the cause of the enemy.
As the faithful Knights brought these concerns and reports before the King, He reassured them to be patient and diligent and that all was known to the King, and that in time His royal purposes would all be fulfilled.
The Knights who served the King valiantly came to realize that there was no greater fulfillment or joy than to be in the King’s service and to feel of His love and approval. They loved the King with all of their hearts, and trusted and served Him humbly wherever and to whomever He did send them, fearing not for their own lives. And their joy was full and their inheritance of the Kingdom was made sure, and they rejoiced, gave all glory to, and praised the King forevermore!