2023-10-13 A Meditation on Emboldened

“24 “Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.” (Lk 13:24 ESV)

“3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. 5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. 10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. 11 For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Pe 1:3–11 ESV)

Emboldened persons, faces set like a flint, some sensitive and mysterious core of the person led by Spirit not flesh, to be an emblem and an example, to lead with a spirit that convicts or that works over the spirit in a woman, man. Works over, malleable or mutually submissive, the teamwork has an instinct called Inspiration, to work naturally and boldly in the very dregs of a former lifestyle. To be that wan or demure spiritual affector; we affect, we discern, we dare. To go a step further. To leap into the unknown of a sudden now cocksure or beautifully self-contained.

We are self-contained insofar as the Spirit who drenches and rains down a latter rain upon a waiting people, suddenly makes things “make sense”: no longer falsely modest or timid; no longer struggling to say the right thing; now Peace and Prosperity in a Licensed digs, an Enabled situation, a Lifted countenance, peace and prosperity for the day’s onslaught.

For spiritual war bludgeons; the sailor, the soldier, the marine, the fighter, the one who flies, who guards; these take account: how many who set out with us are hemmed up and mourning, moaning about errant spirits invasive and convulsing? How many today, this hour, have called upon the Nobody in the midst, the Anyman in the party, to rise up? To know their own at times meek, at times modest, at times timid, Person is called to venture onward? Because a generative, a cultivating, a growing, a gardening Spirit is hard at work. Because things work together for good, for those who love the fellowship and love the Lord, who are called according to His purpose.

A solemn Call. A moment of insight: we see Grace, so called, in beautiful environs shared, to have a Resurrection experience, as the spirit of temptation is emerged from, as we shake off the dregs, the former threads, outfit, and sally forth New Creations. Yes, this is a Spirit who Informs and Shapes. Who turns On the climate, to be amenable and righteous. To be chit-chat and modest glances, as sinew and limb are strengthened, as bravery is coached, cultivated, birthed: from the womb to the bright day ahead, we are sure and confident of Step, because of a dance partner or a message that, in our dance with the day’s war and labors, does just “fit”.

A motivating Call. A harbinger of that spirit that chills, sweeping in under foot: that kills, that utterly dismantles the Faithful One, the Christian, the Lover of Life. This we reckon with all throughout life, and especially so today; there are wars we can win, and wars for a future populace and generation. See our forebearers’ accomplishments bear fruit. See what a father or a mother wished for us, come to pass. See that Garden Serpent intent on turning Good Things ill. So we pray, and the mission is not compromised. So we pray, and the Experiential Grace is under sail, waves breaking across the bow, sure of foot on a heaving deck, blue water sailors all about the day’s business.