2023-02-21 A Meditation on Hypothesis Testing

“Since we have such a hope, we are very bold,” (2 Co 3:12 ESV)

It can be difficult to read into someone else’s hindrances. A missed communication. An internet announcement not found. A search not performed. Some of the most hair-brained circumstances arise when we mistakenly think the very opposite thing is what is going on. A perfect storm. A love lost to circumstance and fate. An innocent request for a little more, from the one who feels they have nothing more.

Christians in their soldiers’ gear pray through every eventuality and every possibility, but our standard frame of mind precludes deeper vision so often. So to hold up a cross vision, a pan visage, a wide latitude, is to be blessed to pray as the fighter prays, courageously and boldly, recalling that some have deep ruts of thinking: certain, these ones are, that people are out to get them. Certain, these ones are, that they’re getting the short end of the stick.

It is only when we go on the date with perhaps the wrong gal or guy that we see more clearly the error in quiet single life. The date helps us. The date gets the noggin rolling, the ball moving; is it in the facial expressions of those alongside? Is it something ethereal that a little verve and love taps us into? So we endeavor not to fight wars over things healed by diplomacy. We endeavor not to sin by way of our perfectionism: “Oh, I would never have any romantic impulses… I’m a trained warrior now!” When in fact the nominal object of amour just wanted to see us in someone else’s escrow, in other arms, so that there might be some urgency to the matter. Some opportunity not to be accused, some assurance that we are “normal” and have normal urges. For, Scripture says, we don’t need companionship romantically unless we are tempted by lust. Only the lustful person need get married (1 Co 7:8-9). Scripture tries to illustrate.

Therefore we go out of our comfort zone. We open up the bared heart for another hour, though it leaves us wearied and a little stunned at what eventualities have come to pass. So the fighter is not just an automaton for the Father Above, but is a sufferer and a heroic prayer warrior. The fighter tries to open up their sensitivity and manly boldness, that is, that they are sufficiently self-assured not to assume the worst; they have healthy self-confidence, so they can look outward, at others, not assuming the worst, not having a persecution complex, but generous and giving.

And their feminine boldness, that they are brave for the dually-joined battle, encouraged by a healthy lack of insecurity, not feeling eyed-at for being woman, nor feeling it inevitably falls into stereotype or hatred from the men. No, the brave warrior is putting all such nonsense aside, and praying for the object of attention. Outwardly. Compassionately. In full hope of a Resurrection.