Once upon a time, there was a valiant knight. He was known throughout all the land as the Slayer of Serpents, the Deliverer of Damsels, and the Protector of All Things Pure. There was not a foe who could defeat him. That is, until a dragon came calling.
The knight was spending an afternoon sparring with some squires. Training was arduous work; his muscles ached, and his armor chafed his skin. Sweat flowed from his brow and burned his eyes. His sword seemed to grow heavier with each thrust. Suddenly, the sky grew dark, and the wind began to swirl. The squires fled, but the knight drew himself up and stood fearless, armed and ready to meet his foe should he dare to show himself. Dare, he did, and a dragon lunged forth out of the darkness and leaned slowly toward the valiant champion's ear.
Lay down your weapons, O valiant one, the beast goaded.
Do you think me a fool? I will not, was the knight's reply.
Pick up this razor wire instead, said the fiend. It is a much better tool against me in the hands of an adversary such as yourself. I need not tell you how to use it to slay me; you are able and mighty. Surely you know that by wrapping yourself and all of your world in it, you would be safe from harm. If I so much as dare to come near you or those you love, I would be sliced to ribbons and meet my fate. I would be gone, and you would be a greater victor than you are today.
The cavalier looked at the razor wire. I could wrap all I love in this. The enemy can hardly help himself; he will charge me and be decimated upon it. He will lie down in eternal sleep and torment no one again.
And with that, the fearless knight flung his shield, wrenched off his armor, threw his sword to the ground, and picked up the razor wire. It cut him mercilessly as he wrapped it around his arms, his legs, his torso. He set to work, binding the whole of the kingdom tightly within its grip. It dug into his flesh and the flesh of those he loved as he wrapped each one tightly again and again. He became more entangled as he toiled, and the razor wire slowly severed his limbs; the pain was excruciating, but he pressed on believing this vile bondage to be not only the better weapon, but now, the only weapon. There was no turning back: just a few more twists and all the kingdom, thoroughly swathed, would see the dragon meet his demise!
But the dragon simply leaned back and smiled. All the knight loved, every bit of himself was bound and bloody, slashed and torn within the razor-sharp mass. The kingdom and its inhabitants were broken and weak. The once courageous warrior was a shell of his former self, his blood running in streams to the feet of the hideous beast. And pleased with the offering, the dragon lapped it up as he stared straight into the fading eyes of the collapsed hero.
~~~~~~~~
For those caught in addiction, for those who have sought to mitigate their pain and trauma, their fear and angst through the abuse of substances, the story of the knight is no fable. His choices were foolish; he believed an obvious lie. But he had a voracious appetite for normalcy and a willingness to try anything at his disposal. He was tenacious, pushing on in the nonsensicality of the scheme, hoping things would, at some point be turned around, even though he'd chosen the worst path possible. The razor wire of addiction begins with a lie. This just might work. This is just for now. Those caught in addiction are some of the most hopeful people I know: their hope, however, is in the worst of solutions. What follows is a harsh dose of reality, as the first cuts are made. And the lie no longer holds any enticement, no promise of victory. Only failure. You have failed your people, you have failed your kingdom, you have failed yourself. The bonds of shame are sure to hold them in the razor wire's grip. But a greater Hero, the One True King can set them free!
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment