Page 39 - The Road from Babylon to Zion

While the officers think it must be some kind of trick, Lawrence confides that the
match burns his fingers just like anyone else’s, but that he simply doesn’t mind as
much. As the movie unfolds, we see Lawrence revealed in contrast to the other
British officers. When he arrives in the Middle East he must take a lengthy journey
by camel. When his Arab guide stops to allow Lawrence to drink, knowing that
Europeans are unaccustomed to the heat, Lawrence asks his guide if he is drinking
too. When the man says “No”, then Lawrence replies that he will not drink until his
guide drinks.

In these instances and many more, Lawrence exhibits the trait that he will not allow
the discomfort of his flesh, or it’s loudly clamoring desires, to dictate how he will act
or respond to a situation. His own stubborn will rules over the flesh’s demands.

In many ways, this is the same mindset that the saint must adopt to deal with the
peril of self-pity. The Overcomer will get burned many times, by hard and unjust
words, by situations where they know lack, by dreams and hopes that tarry and are
delayed time after time, but the Overcomer must not mind these frustrations,
bewilderments, and pains. Like Paul, we must proclaim, “I have learned to be
content in ALL things.”

There is a difference between Lawrence and the Overcomer that I must point out. It
is not the will of man that will achieve this victory, for it is in the Spirit that the saint
must walk. We are told by Paul,

Galatians 5:24-25
Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its
passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the
Spirit.

It is the flesh that wants to host a pity party, the Spirit will never lead us to do so. If
we will remain patient before the Father, in time He will heal up every wound and
He will fulfill every dream that He has placed within our being. Remember, the
promises of God are inherited only through faith and patience.

Hebrews 6:11-12
And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to
realize the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you will not be
sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit
the promises.

Don’t allow self-pity to derail you on the road to Zion. Don’t stop just short of the
goal. Overcomers must overcome to the very end. The promise is there, and it is
glorious beyond all comparison so that we can proclaim with Paul,