2024-06-15 A Meditation on Meager Digs

“7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. 11 For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So death is at work in us, but life in you.” (2 Cor 4:7-12 ESV)

Outside the realm of all mastery, all masterful thought, all ownership, the Fates that are to come will come in a grating fashion, solutions elusive, no one soul able to soothe into the equation; no one soul able to emerge unscathed; that is, inversely proportionate to our comfort zone, is the discomforting notions—yes—climates—yes—atmospheres—yes—displacement. And yet leaders we have had, and leaders we shall have: like sheep no longer without a Shepherd, are the Sons and Daughters of the Most High. Like would-be ideologues, thinkers, snazzy decorators of the Most Ultimate Thought Space, are each of us when once we learn to abide near to that discomfort, that absence of Ease, that mild weather elusive and that Ultimate Decision Made: to be peace amidst the arrows, peace amidst the gun battles, peace amidst all that is “unacceptable!” in the mind of those more comfortable.

For quantum leaps become Ours to Own, sheep no longer without a shepherd take an endeavor resting solely on Faith; that our words—to speak only as a simple preacher—are heard and effect some new disposition, spirit-led, spirit-toward, holy and righteous, basic and endearing. Our words combat any and all more pragmatic thought; on some level when first we address the Absence… absence of surety, beguiled realization of just what opposition is ours to own up to, strange life on a leash let out a little bit longer, with more space to roam, with entertainments and fellowships, family and hearth, neighbor and churchmate… in all these things we are better off as the innocent-of-evil, the poor-in-spirit, hoarding nothing in this present life, though would that we had a few accouterments Now; we would scarcely ever choose for ourselves the poorer route, for the blessings of this life are benign and welcome. The blessings of this life scarcely are ever denied when offered. Yet see us oblong and misfit unto some compromised Rich Scenes. See we blessedly do not quite slide in so easily. See our souls safeguarded and stored up for a Greater Purpose, though our numbers and tests be meek, meager, low and humbling. We are those vouchsafed for someone out there to be a silently passed over Example. Somehow, we are that shepherd by our constancy, to some out there. Somehow we are that Faith Endeavor in league with Some Fraternity and Sorority out there.