Operation Stomp on Snake
He was one of the generals who remained loyal to the King when a third of his army had revolted against him. He never questioned his Majesty’s orders, but this was a mission like no other soldier had been assigned before. When the King had commanded him to go down to the small village and see one of his subjects, he was not sure about the reception he would get. Naturally, he had nothing to be afraid of the simple people below. Still, it was hard to understand why the King loved these lowly subjects so much. It was precisely that love that had caused the King’s army to turn against him in the first place, and now, a mighty general like himself was on his way to the small village to see one of these simple subjects, who were loved so deeply by their King.
When he had repeated his orders to the King before leaving, he said, “And I have to tell this person about your command, correct? “. The King had looked at the general with compassion and put a firm hand on the shoulder plate of his armor. He was surprised at how strongly his superior officer made his next point “No”, he said. “I trust that you will not deliver a command from their sovereign, your mission is to ask for cooperation “.
The general looked at the hand of the King, still on his shoulder. He was overwhelmed by the gaze of his commanding officer but still, he had to ask “Should I approach a local man, a leader from a city to deliver your message, sire? Should I send an envoy to announce my visit to his palace? Maybe we could make a proclamation at one of their town squares so a large crowd can learn about your plans, sire”.
The King almost laughed. “No, my dear general, your mission is too important, you will contact only one person. And by their people’s own standards, not an important person at all. But make no mistake my loyal soldier, the outcome of your conversation will change the course of our kingdom”. On his way down to the village, the general felt small before his mission.
The King was clear that this person he was to contact was different from the rest of his subjects. Certainly, it would be interesting to meet him, after many years when the most of the King’s subjects had also rejected their ruler, maybe now he could meet another man who was as loyal as himself. One thing was certain: This was a completely different mission from the time these subjects had to be driven out of the royal land because of their disobedience.
That time, when he issued his orders, the King was deeply sad, but now he seemed hopeful, even excited about the outcome of the mission entrusted to the general. It was as if the King had already forgotten how many of his subjects had stopped loving him.
Ever since the first time they rejected their king, the look on the people’s faces had changed. There was a sadness to them, a sense of mistrust to their king and to each other. It was the same look that the disloyal soldiers had in their eyes when they rebelled against his majesty.
Now that the general was silently walking into town, he was wondering how he would find his contact to convey the King’s message. He was only told that this person was so special, that he would just know… But how? The mighty general was wondering this when he saw her. She was different from all the townspeople.
There was no sadness in her eyes, just peace. And his thoughts were halted when he could hear her silently praying to the King. The general’s reaction was immediate. At that moment, the whole message from the King was revealed in his heart, and he finally understood the heavenly importance of his mission.
The whole of creation would be changed by the answer of this beautiful young maiden. He bowed down and on one knee, and he addressed her humbly, “Rejoice, full of grace, for the Lord has found favor in you….”
Heaven was silent for what seemed an eternity during Gabriel and Mary’s conversation, and Jesus at the side of the King cried of joy when his Mother said yes.
