The first official episode of Battlestar Galactica finds our characters at least a week after the initial Cylon attack. The fleet has survived the first catastrophic attack, but they are being hunted. Every time they “jump” (this universe’s equivalent of warp or light speed) they are followed. They arrive in a new location and, like clockwork, their pursuers appear thirty-three minutes later. The crew of the Galactica, the protectors of the fleet, has been without sleep for over 130 hours. Needless to say, everyone is exhausted. Their nerves are frayed, their confidence waning, and their ability to make decisions quickly fading.
Exhaustion makes us vulnerable. Dr. Baltar begins muttering to himself (or his invisible Cylon friend) about the very real limits that every human has. He knows these limits are being tested and that, eventually, they will all reach their breaking point. A mistake will be made: a mistake which is sure to end in the destruction of the fleet. Listening to him talk about these limits, I couldn’t help but think about the way that I am subject to the very same weaknesses. I, too, can become as weary and frazzled as the crew of the Galactica. And so can you.
Most of us have had seasons in our lives where we feel like we are at the end of our rope. Perhaps some of you are experiencing such a season as you read this. The weightiness of our lives can sometimes seems set to crush us, slowly but surely. It is times like these when we are most vulnerable to attacks.
One of the things my wife and I agreed on early in our marriage was not to fight when one or both of us were hungry. We also agreed to forego serious discussions late at night. We know that when we are hungry or tired we are more likely to say something we will regret. I also know that the more exhausted I am, the more likely I am to give into sin. It’s not like I’m a saint when I’m completely alert, but deprive me of sleep, and I’m definitely more prone to choose rebellion over obedience. If there are powers and principalities that desire for us to falter, and I believe there are, then it would only make sense that they would know of our vulnerabilities and seek to exploit them. The times that we are physically exhausted and spiritually drained are the most difficult times to be on our guard, but they are also when it is most imperative that we remain watchful.
As a community of believers who are seeking the renewed creation, we must not forget that there is an enemy that wishes to destroy us, but not just us. If this enemy had its way it would eliminate the entirety of creation so that there would be nothing to renew. We must be on guard, especially in seasons of weariness. We must have others to rely on, especially those who are stronger than we are. Just as the fleet would be destroyed without the vigilance and protection from the Galactica, so we must rely on those wiser than us in times of trial.
We mustn’t think that we are defenseless, however. The Bible only portrays Satan confronting Jesus once during his time on earth, and it is when he is fasting in the desert. It is during a time of physical weakness, which I believe Jesus felt, that Satan believed he was most vulnerable spiritually – and he was probably right. But Jesus is on his guard, and Satan’s plan is unsuccessful. Jesus’ knowledge of scripture helps him rebut Satan’s misuse of those words, and he is able to ward off his enemy. Those same words are available to us when we are being attacked as well.
Finally, I think we must realize that while our community is comprised of a group of people who have limits, we have access to a loving God with no limits. I don’t mean this to be a pat answer, and I certainly don’t mean to imply that we therefore have nothing to be concerned about. But I do think that sometimes when we are at the end of our rope, we simply have to admit our weakness and trust in his strength, praying for peace and looking for guidance through a stormy season.
“Yet those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, the will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.”
Isaiah 40:31