Six foot tall and bulletproof

Ancient England

A crowd has gathered to watch two knights joust. Prince John's champion, a Templar knight is faced by a mysterious knight referring to himself only as "desdicado" or disinherited.

When the two champions stood opposed to each other at the two extremities of the lists, the public expectation was strained to the highest pitch. Few augured the possibility that the encounter could terminate well for the Disinherited Knight, yet his courage and gallantry secured the general good wishes of the spectators.

The trumpets had no sooner given the signal , than the champions vanished from their posts with the speed of lightning, and closed in the centre of the lists with the shock of a thunderbolt. The lances burst into shivers up to the very grasp, and it seemed at that moment that both knights had fallen, for the shock had made each horse recoil backwards upon its haunches.

The address of the riders recovered their deeds by use of the bridal and spur; and having glared on each other for an instant with eyes which seemed to flash fire through the bars of their visors, each made a demi-volte, and, retiring to the extremity of the lists, received a fresh lance from the attendants.

The champions a second time sprung from their stations, and closed in the centre of the lists, with the same speed, the same dexterity, the same violence, but not the same equal fortune as before.

In this second encounter, the Templar aimed at the centre of his antagonist's shield, and struck it so fair and forcibly, that his spear went to shivers, and the Disinherited Knight reeled in his saddle. On the other hand, that champion had, in the beginning of his career, directed the point of his lance towards Bois-Guilbert's shield, but, changing his aim almost in the moment of encounter, he addressed it to the helmet, a mark more difficult to hit, but which, if attained, rendered the shock more irresistible. Fair and true he hit the Norman on the visor, where his lance's point kept hold of the bars. Yet even at this disadvantage, the Templar sustained his high reputation; and had not the girths of his saddle burst, he might not have been unhorsed. As it chanced, however, saddle, horse, and man, rolled on the ground under a cloud of dust. - Ivanhoe, Sir Walter Scott

This scene describes the "unbeatable" Templar knight beaten by the outsider. Beaten by confidence, skill and chance.

We have a saying at work, for people who are perceived to be safe in their positions. Strong in influence and safe from termination. Whether by their own virtue or by some extraneous blessing of the reigning power they are said to be "six foot tall and bulletproof".

Conversly, there are also nervous folks at the opposite end of the spectrum checking their mail for pink slips and the infamous "golden handshake".

I've felt like I was in both camps at different times in my career. Last week I went from one to the other. I started the week having it all together; under budget, on target and motivated. Then one of the sites I'm responsible for turned in some fairly poor results and I ended the week with thoughts of being fired running through my head.

Do you ever feel that way with God? Sometimes when you think you've been particularly good you might feel anointed to be His special gift to mankind and then when you mess up you hide in your garden busy covering yourself with fig leaves. What a concept to think that God doesn't love us more or less when we sin or don't. Jesus paid the price for our sin but also gives us confidence to do battle with our foe. If we believe in Him, we're all six foot tall and bulletproof.

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him;
as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; - Psalm 103:11-13

In the arms of Your mercy I find rest

'cause You know just how far the east is from the west

From one scarred hand to the other - Casting Crowns