WE ALL NEED A BRYCE AND A LORETUS

This was originally a "note" on Facebook. Well, today, I found out that the notes section was missing. I was able to dig this up, and hope this is a more permanent form. It's one of my favorite blogs that I've written, and so I wanted to share it. I did edit it a little.

At the end of King, the finale of R. J. Larson's Books of the Infinite trilogy, she had a question on our favorite supporting characters. I mentioned four, and shared it with the author. One was a Destroyer (an overgrown horse) named Scythe, though a main character chose to call him Pet. Larson mentioned that was a popular answer. My other three characters got a combined one mention: The lucky one was Tsir Aun, a gentle milatry commander who became a prime minister, and who always commented that Ela the prophetess (the character I referred to above) was always getting into trouble.

One of the other two was Bryce. The other main charater, Kien Lantec, found himself appointed to govern a region of Siphra in the second book, Judge, as a reward to saving King Akabe's life...an unwanted reward. Bryce was assigned as a steward. What I liked is that Bryce was loyal, had Kien's back, but would not hear of Kien backing out of his role. Kien told him not to call him "Lord", and Bryce wouldn't hear of it. Bryce also appeared in King, but it was his role in the first story that won me to him.

The last one was Loretus (pictured above). He also was introduced in Judge, assigned by King Akabe to train Kien for battle. The thing that impressed me -- in King, you can see that Loretus was no less loyal, probably no less fond, of Kien as Bryce was. But he had a different role. Bryce was the companion who fought beside. Loretus' job was to toughen Kien up, a job Loretus relished. And while Kien wouldn't admit it, I'm sure he knew Loretus was a faithful friend as well.

We all need a Bryce and a Loretus in our lives, both in general and especially in ministry. We need someone who has our back and supports us ... except when we want to step away from what God has called us to do. One who will defend us to the death, but will not hear of us retreating or surrendering. And we also need someone who will test us -- not to break us but so we're ready for the real battle.

That's what church is about. It's where we meet with our Bryces and Loretuses. That's why we're not to forsake our assembling of ourselves together (Hebrews 10:24-25). We're supposed to be stirring up one another to love and good works and exhort each other, exactly as Bryce and Loretus have done for Kien.

But whether our church needs a Scythe/Pet is another matter. He's got a bit of a rebellious streak. And he takes up a lot more space.

Do you have any Bryces or Loretuses in your life? (Or a Scythe/Pet for that matter?)