“4 Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, 2 through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, 3 who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer. A Good Servant of Christ Jesus 6 If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed. 7 Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; 8 for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 9 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. 10 For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe. 11 Command and teach these things. 12 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. 13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. 14 Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. 15 Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. 16 Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.” (1 Ti 4:1–16 ESV)

Coping with Hope met with Authority: the Christian has been bequeathed a distant Reason and Logic wherein Goodness Prevails, things Make Sense, Justice is meted out, and more. Sly and on the contrary tip, End of Superpowers means we do not think we can simply bullheaded delve into the Status Quo and Societal Powers: we must learn to be Unconfrontational, Principled but devoted to our own circumspect Realm and devoted to things not too big for us.

Meanwhile we Go Large because in the barracks and about the tent city or town square, crazed Spirits Invade and the community goes belly-up around malaise and encroaching walls. The soldier is called to Know the Peace that Passeth Understanding, even as a liminal War pre-War invades and sets up camp. Indeed, we have a Gardener in Chief, who loves on us and wants to nip and tuck a bit, do some weeding, Cultivate a Healthsome Spirit, a diatribe Inviting and Spacious for all comers to roam in.

But to said Authority Structures: it is a bit of a Wake Up Call to be respectable and Normal, not to ruffle feathers except… like the criminal’s profile, we are caught up in Forces Greater than ourselves, and where we find ourselves… it is no simple easy Choice to go the law-abiding route for the criminal any more than it is for the Saint to go the attesting Route, the Testament-making Route, the Healing (furtively, furiously Healing) Route. Spirit invades Commune and Church alike, blind to the Human Frailty and Need but Determined to upset the apple cart a bit and so we go glib and silent sometimes (it is wise to hold one’s tongue) and we go Boisterous and of Gladsome Repartee at times (it is important to take a stand, to vote and Elicit spirit forgotten). 

The Watching Frontman, Frontwoman, is humored by a little of this or some of that, because they have a Duty too great for any one of us. Strange realities come crashing down like a Wave, that all Childhood Promises and Prophecies are taking root and making nest Here and Now. That we for a season have the Mantle of Duty on our shoulders (too great even to squarely look at directly). Yet the Battle is Christ’s, and this—far from making us into minions or automatons—makes us Participatory. Oh dear, we say, more liberal theology: but our Participation in the Trinity is Arrived at and Understood when once we’ve tasted of Submission and Contrition. It goes Auto-Mode, that Christ is our Head, but we His children are no automatons rather we desire all the more to Please the Godhead and the Parent Above. So we participate, and every house… some houses more haunted than others… every house Calls upon its Watchmen and Watchwomen to shoulder the forested marches and city-side Presence, on the streetcorner, peace and keeping the peace, no longer armed just materially but now Spiritually, with the sword of the Spirit and the Helmet of salvation, the shield of faith and more.

Delving in, spiraling inwards, strange Epochal Realities appear and give resistance: we feel something Deep “out there”. We are therefore to share the Joy with one another, to share that that one who is so Elitist and Ivy League around basic Routines of Celebration and Witness, is also Sympathetic and maddeningly Non-judgmental. Anything can be placed on the table, and it will be nodded through patiently. Yet too, that Sickness, now Healed and Dispersed, was one that some friends are Immune to, having been inoculated and Prevented from Infection. Such are those Poor in the land, perhaps, but they too have their poor lower class sins. They aren’t Classy and Educated, some would argue. But by contrast, they are motoring along, heads down, and embodying Genius to the observant Eye. So it is a contrast and paradox, indeed.

Ambition properly directed, is ambitious for Peace: there is no end to what can be accomplished, when once we’ve Matured and Reached Knowledge, as far as a Peaceful Commune or Family: not inventing obstacles as if we didn’t already have enough, but recognizing Lines in the Sand, manifest Enmities, and Choosing This Day whom we follow. So to the watchtower, and to the tent city or city scene: we have this Zeal in us, wherein some call it Lazy but we call it Readiness, Consecration, Holy Garments donned: the Joy of life together when the Mission has been I.D.’ed. And the perennial Mission simply of Knowing the poorer person’s Burden, that we—no ambition to be Ivy League per se—can channel into a Good Outlay and Perspective Sublime.