2023-05-18 A Meditation on Grandeur

“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed” (1 Pe 4:12–13 ESV)

“3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” (Jn 3:3–8 ESV)

A grandeur is sought, reappraising all manner of life circumstance in light of a focused and meaningful new mindset. Rockstar mentality, of a sudden the hour seems bursting with gracious outlays, gifts to the world, understanding of with what nonchalance and purpose we dismiss all ornery debts and cautions. With what nonchalance we live into that identity called Belonging, Poised, Baptized, Exuberant, Representative.

Representative of what end game came to be, brought to bear, on picky concerns and avoidances. Representative of what peccadilloes suddenly were awash in the waters of calm and poise. Representative of it all being for the sake of this hour, this hour alone, the hour of fabulous living, sober-minded that we would be the better responsible and dutiful to our broad claims, our loud praises, our purposeful engagements of encouragement and of blessedness.

To bless others, is to know we live but for a season, in good climes and health and gratitude for the day free of old and familiar pain. To live over and against the method and the calculation, of holding so much righteousness and so much noble sanctity, holiness of walk, rule-abiding, goodness, up to a Spirit borne of strife and of failure in self-same walk. That Spirit is likewise lifted from the staid shell, the former considerations and conventions, the rule-based engagements and concessions. We live as though for this hour. We live into the great poise of Spirit-borne, Wind-swept, Wondrously Made, and so Certainly Blessed.

And all this a tempest in a teacup by the estimations of some observers, our giddy delight somehow too inexplicable to deign to or bless as Religion. Our halting speech and glad smile an affront to all who would be beholden to the strife of Law, of concessions to Dead Rules, not aware that Man in all his or her strife is above all else an idolator towards that Law, loving to ramp it up and to pretend to be its adherent: church-going, bible-studying, patting-of-oneself-on-the-back.

We know them by their fruits, the one who, through no exaltation of their own lawfulness, does cheer us up. Without couching themselves in the safe removes of Lawful Outlay, does give a laughing fresh start to us their interlocutor. Truly, such ones as these will not last long, who have not boasted in their commingling with the Law. Who operate on the basis of Love rather than Machiavellian impressive fear. Who suddenly, just this day, were exalted in Mind and Spirit, lifted up, called unto a heathen world, to be the good cheer and in simple ways of greeting or right words, were our alter-ego of holiness. True holiness, of the sort found in that wandering Savior Jesus.