The Hero's Reunion: My Favorite Part of Every Story by Megan Schaulis

The Hero’s Reunion: My Favorite Part of Every Story

You know my favorite part of every story? Whether I’m watching a great movie or immersed in a book, the best part for me is NOT when the villain gets defeated.

The reunion moment

Sure, I love to see a tried-and-tested hero face down the bad guy. By this point, we know what our hero has been through. He’s had to dig deep, conquer his inner demons, and find the strength to face his enemy head on. And, if it’s any story I’m going to enjoy, the hero will win. He may take a few kicks to the ribs in the process, but he’ll come out of it all victorious.

Yet, that’s not the best part of the story.

The best part is when our bruised hero is finally reunited with the ones he loves. He rescues the princess from the tower, rushes home to his wife and kids, or surveys the town he nearly died to defend.

It’s Rocky yelling “Adrian.”
It’s newly crowned King Aragorn finally seeing Arwen again.

These are the moments that make the story because true victory has a purpose.

The greatest victory

Another Hero faced an epic battle a couple thousand years ago. Against all odds, He caught the enemy completely off guard, made the ultimate sacrifice, and won the day. The cross was the site of an epic battle. Jesus endured the wrath of God that we deserved while the devil pulled out every trick to get Him to abandon His mission. The cross is the site of the greatest victory in the history of the universe.

But the best part of this story? The reunion.

See, what Jesus loved most had been held hostage since the Fall. The very children He created had been deceived, enslaved, and poisoned against Him. But because of His earth-shattering victory, they could be reunited with Him.

Our Great Hero is still pursuing that reunion moment with most of the world.

Are you ready for reunion?

I sang “Out of Hiding” by Steffany Gretzinger and Amanda Cook (Bethel Music) at my church recently. Listen to video above or check out the lyrics at the bottom of the post.

Every time I hear this song, I think of that reunion moment. When my battle-scarred Hero wrapped His arms around me and swore He’d never ever ever let anything come between us again. That nothing could separate me from His love. When He whispered in my ear that He did it all for me. And He’d do it all again.

Have you had that reunion moment? He’s ready when you are.

Out of Hiding lyrics

Come out of hiding
You’re safe here with me
There’s no need to cover
What I already see

You’ve got your reasons
But I hold your peace
You’ve been on lockdown
And I hold the key

‘Cause I loved you before you knew it was love
And I saw it all, still I chose the cross
And you were the one that I was thinking of
When I rose from the grave
Now rid of the shackles, my victory’s yours
I tore the veil for you to come close
There’s no reason to stand at a distance anymore
You’re not far from home

I’ll be your lighthouse
When you’re lost at sea
And I will illuminate everything

No need to be frightened
By intimacy
No, just throw off your fear
And come running to me

‘Cause I loved you before you knew it was love
And I saw it all, still I chose the cross
And you were the one that I was thinking of
When I rose from the grave
Now rid of the shackles, my victory’s yours
I tore the veil for you to come close
There’s no reason to stand at a distance anymore
You’re not far from home

And oh as you run
What hindered love
Will only become
Part of the story

Baby, you’re almost home now
Please, don’t quit now
You’re almost all to me, yeah

Image from Unsplash.