“16 Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols. 17 So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there. 18 Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also conversed with him. And some said, “What does this babbler wish to say?” Others said, “He seems to be a preacher of foreign divinities”—because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection. 19 And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? 20 For you bring some strange things to our ears. We wish to know therefore what these things mean.” 21 Now all the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there would spend their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new.” (Acts 17:16-21 ESV)
Vocal faith has implicit bookmarks, signage, testimonies rooted in a salute. To be vocal is to discover that what is urgent or accomplished Today is in fact relevant over and amidst wild churning social states of affairs. The day’s labors are New each morning. The meaning of, “I believe”, is set over and against lapsed inspiration, dawdling associations, quaint dismissals. We believe: it launches forth with the hair-raising floating into the air, walking on water, of Substance married to Trust.
Trust fall, into an entire establishment or modicum, a backdrop and litany coded, called Christian Witness. We learn to lay claim to all promises of a clean slate. We learn to accommodate all promises of positive reaction and promise: today, you are receiving mercy because He promised mercy. Today, you are upbuilt, reoriented, standing tall post-crucifixion, alongside Him and His people.
Because the war as meted out on screen or newsreel, on paper stock or social media, is on this point a bit confused or endemic: it carries the appearance that those things fought over are manifest and “obvious”, but always the mind trip afforded to the one studying Mercy, points to a third way. A way that observes sincerely just how and why peoples clamor or dispute or contradict one another. That asks sincerely, will such-and-such abuse or miscommunication historic, ever stand a chance of sincere forgiveness?
Forgiveness not just by willingly omitting the charges, but some healthsome Embrace because a sacrificial lamb or pigeon was involved. Some humor went for broke and tried to heal the situation. Some deeper mind’s reflection on the state of affairs, caused skin tones or religion or caste to be looked away from, and Spirit, Created Status, Beloved by Christ notion, to rule the day.
That is, our faith is living and active, propelling way beyond forced or reluctant Mercies and Accommodations and Together vibing. Something has completed the cipher, wherein we literally have space in the circle for a New Friend: one formerly hated and mistrusted, but today sincerely held in Affection. We see those films or that news outlet, and say a prayer for those who make decisions, those in authority, those literally intended to be blessed by the prayers of many, that they may face squarely what Christians call “sin”, and see a new playing field of goals and chess match-like signage, of spirit and reluctance to win for winning’s sake alone, but rather to ensure our principles are not compromised, that we aren’t dragged down into an impossible denial or caprice or concession.
Our faith is capable of speaking a Word hitherto silenced but today Ecstatic and Voluntarily Inspirational. Indeed, we heard from the “other side” a forced calm, a tenuous peace, an un-humored litany. We tried ourselves to speak a bit more healthily, a bit more trustingly, a bit more Inspired: we are Inspired by Christ’s own knowledge, notion, that Tomorrow to Die on the Cross, would put out with the trash so much fright factor and guilt and solemn histories most personal and flawed. Instead, we will be soothed, weaned, blessed in our resting posture most inviting of Reflection. We will automatically and without forethought then rise up to do something Today input, inspired, calmly blessed in its outlay. Because we heard the Good News. Because it was no sweat and a welcome attitude shift. Because our verbalization became calm and poignant, bold and rested, submitted and guiding.