2023-11-29 A Meditation on Criticism

“9 Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. 10 He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again. 11 You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.” (2 Co 1:9–11 ESV)

Be brave, we say to the soldier, for the gladsome season comes abruptly to the “Hey!” moment, the protest, the friend who has gone AWOL or insane, demon-possessed, in front of the good work begun in Christ. Now knowing a little leaven leavens the whole lump. Not knowing the Christ-figure is already in no-man’s-land in need of each and every able-bodied person to pray.

Pluck and composure, assurance and facility: the good work begun in Christ comes with it a promise, that no where shall we be tried beyond what we can bear, but that a way forward shall be provided (1 Cor 10:13). Yet the Christian is beleaguered. The Christian is the last to be inducted into the crew, into the cipher. Yet Christ’s cipher is not excluded. Christ’s patience is not in vain. Christ’s vocalized insane enormous claims are not misbegotten.

We are certain, if nothing else, that the Evil One lurks and his spirits swirl about wherever a good work in Christ is underway. People don’t know what has become of themselves. People are beside themselves. People compromise by way of a gentle correction, not knowing that this is the denial like that of Peter, and it may have cost many so much.

Yet we are not deceived, but rather experiment unafraid of the gravity. Unafraid of the cries of a heathen bunch for a moment of time lent unto their concerns. Unafraid of being too weighed down to be Evangelical and Positive. Unafraid of those who feel a certain pluck or calling unto criticism. We are criticized, but rejoice insofar as it seems only in equal measure as to what astonishing Goodness Jesus in the midst has called out: calling out lust or temptation. Calling out fallings-out among friends that still rankle or cannot be healed. Calling out resentments and the plain way we literally can hate God’s greatest gift to us. Another being. A new soul. A person to nurture and care for. An end to that sense of obligation some feel towards criticizing. We were doing well, who hindered us? We were still in gladsome digs, outfitted and dressed up for display, to put on the Good Show, and then the “Oh.” The “Hey”. The end of our joyride and the beginning of a season of slander and work. Or is it?

We are called to fight under the banner of Love, also known by the Name of Christ. Whether this love inspires love in return, or inspires frustrated hate, it is unapologetic and it is daring and it is cavalier almost, were it not for the Reputation of that Son and that Father and that Spirit unto stature earned and deserved. In this world we, via our God and King, have stature. In this world we, via our testimony—not of being immune to sin—of celebration for the King’s arrival. Who came in the good guise both of royalty writ of old, and of poverty in a pauper’s manger.

Then the weary counter-attack, a murder of the innocents, and a flight from the battle to the safety of Egypt. Who and where were known that relief of a society milling about in acceptance and no guile. No hatred for this precious birthed soul. A crowd, a marketplace, a quiet place to rest; these were perhaps found in that alter-religion called Egypt. And there, there Christ was passed over, and His parents were kept alive for a greater good down the line: their parenting of the Young One. For, we say, “We accept all hardships” yet God puts good things into our lives, unasked for, undeserved, by way of encouraging us to boast more a bit in our good works, rather, to have a heart wondrous and celebratory of this Child or this Friend or this Peer or this Parent or this Forerunner in the Gospel, who set the stage because we did in fact need such early support: we were called unto high and mighty things later, such as the first Christian family who raised our Lord. Amazing what calling and consecration alights upon the brow of each of us who feel called to don the Name of Christ. As our surety. As our promissory note. As our entrance unto the Father’s courts. Which Father is simultaneously all-powerful and diligently communing, laboring, delegating, debating and discussing, presented as Trinity and therefore as Servant and Son, as Spirit who Proceeds from. From the Son. From the Father, both. To bring us to that heavenly familiarity with a new friend, that, yes let us hear no evil in the ramblings of a saved soul, but join in the gratitude, the Moment, the laboring woman’s or man’s call to ramp down the instructions and ramp up the Peace.