I learned a new word today – “Picaresque”. Isn’t it fun? It means “adventures of a roguish hero of low social degree living by his or her wits in a corrupt society.” Or, as the book I just read described it – “It’s a long adventure that teaches the hero lessons.” Hmmmmmm….I think I like that….
I think it’s a good word to describe us. Or at least I will speak for myself. It’s a good word to describe me. A roguish character. I looked up rogue –
1. An unprincipled, deceitful, and unreliable person; a scoundrel or rascal.
2. One who is playfully mischievous; a scamp.
3. A wandering beggar; a vagrant.
Okay, I like the second definition. It sounds amusing and fun. The first and third are not quite so complimentary. But if I’m honest, all three describe who I am on my own, without Jesus. I’m a scoundrel, a rascal, a scamp. Im a beggar, a wandering vagrant. I’m driven by selfishness and ulterior motives. I’m a broken person in a broken world trying to find my way.
Then along comes Jesus. He finds this wandering scalliwag and loves her deeply. He rescues her from her sure destruction and invites her on an adventure called LIFE. Where each day brings new understanding, new joys and sorrows, new experiences and lessons learned along the way. No two days are ever alike. And Jesus promises to be there every step of the way, through the good and the bad and the ugly. And suddenly this roguish girl finds the meaning and adventure she has always longed for. Her life has purpose and instead of being self-centered is focused on Jesus and others which brings so much more depth and meaning to her existence.
And so, in my mind, I have combined the two definitions to describe my life – “adventures of a roguish hero….living…in a corrupt society (that is invited on) a long adventure that teaches the hero lessons.” Picaresque. Lost on my own, but given a hand-written invitation, signed in blood, to a life-long adventure that ends in eternity. Liking the sound of that.
And p.s. – I’m still gonna be the “one who is playfully mischievous” on the adventure….:-)
John 10:10 – I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
