Heart of the King

I know. I should be writing about Thanksgiving this week. Believe me, I am thankful. We celebrated the day in a big way even though it is not a holiday in Costa Rica. However, I really need to tell one more "dead man" story from Granada, Spain.

This time the dead guy has a name and we know something about his story.

Many of you have seen the movie, Braveheart." Among some of the leaders that I work with, it has taken on an almost "canonical" position in their understanding of leadership and commitment. Still, a movie should not be judged poorly simply because we are forced to watch out of context clips ad nauseam at training seminars.

(However, if someone else does begin their seminar screaming, "Freedom!" in a poor imitation of Mel Gibson, I may be forced to start my own rebellion.)

If you have seen the movie you will remember the Scottish noble named Robert the Bruce who betrayed William Wallace. According to Erwin Raphael McManus, the author of The Barbarian Way, Robert the Bruce later rose up to lead Scotland to freedom after Wallace's execution.

Shortly before his death in 1329, Robert the Bruce requested that his heart be removed from his body and taken on a crusade by some worthy knight. James Douglas was at his bedside and took on the responsibility for his close friend. The heart was embalmed and placed in a small container that Douglas wore around his neck in every battle in which he fought. He literally carried the heart of his king pressed close to his chest.

In the early spring of 1330, Douglas sailed from Scotland to Granada, Spain, in an attempt to free that city from the Moors. (Granada would not fall until 1492.)

In his final battle, James Douglas found himself surrounded. His failure was almost certain. With the Moors closing in, Douglas reached for the heart hanging around his neck, flung it into the enemy's midst, and cried out, "Fight for the heart of your king!" One historian quotes James Douglas as saying, "Forward, brave heart, as ever thou were wont to do, and Douglas will follow his king's heart or die!"

I tried to read that passage to Susan while we were in a hospital waiting room this week and began to cry. In fact, as I write it out to you I am holding back the tears (I have to... it is Susan's computer and she would get upset if I screwed up the keyboard).

I so want to follow my own King's heart wherever it leads! I can only hope that I am not found wanting in the key moments in life and ministry that require that kind of bravery... and incredibly eloquent words.