Captain Ahab & Stinging Nettles

“I’d strike the sun if it insulted me.” In the classic American novel by Herman Melville, Captain Ahab leads his whaling crew on a ill-fated mission of personal revenge against the great white evil leviathan, Moby Dick. In his steadfast resolve he stands on one leg and shakes his fist in defiance of those he loves, his crew, reason, reality, nature, and even against God. Defiance to his last breath makes Captain Ahab a tragic figure in literature.

We can see the seeds of defiance within us even at an early age. As parents we have all had our jaws drop to the floor when our two-year old looks us squarely in the eye and emphatically states “NO” back to us. Teenage years are known for testing, challenging, and even striving against anyone in authority. As adults the seed of defiance can mature into a thriving thistle covered in beautiful flowers. One painful memory I have while hiking through the vibrant mountain meadows in Northern Utah is brushing up against a Stinging Nettle. As a kid I thought I had been bitten by a rattlesnake as the pain ran up my leg or through my arm. As the pain subsided my attention moved from the beauty around me to primarily avoid any more stinging nettles. Likewise when we brush up against defiance it stings, distracts us, and we become cautious to avoid it.

What if we have a few thistles within us? If we spot a hidden thistle of defiance within us whether it is against others or even in rebellion toward God, we can pull it out through submitting to the healing, restoring grace of God our Father.

Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,
“God opposes the proud
but gives grace to the humble.”
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. – 1 Peter 5:5-6

Throughout the entire Bible we find key words to align us with God’s will, purpose and plan for our lives: humility, submission, to submit, obedience, fear of the Lord, repentance, wisdom. As Captain Ahab stubbornly pursued his selfish quest, he was given many pleas, warnings and headings to redirect his misplaced passion. He ignored them all. If we listen, the Holy Spirit, our counselor, will guide us to those hidden thistles of defiance within us, and in His grace and through obedience they can be pulled up from the roots.  We can then experience the hope and love of Christ in all the meadows of our lives.