2024-02-29 A Meditation on Rising Up
“4 This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. 3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. 4 For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. 5 Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.” (1 Cor 4:1-5 ESV)
To play the supporting role is quickly to rise up as things often play out: each and everyone has the capacity to be a central pundit or influencer or advocate in the community. This is the strange thing introduced to the new believer who turns to Christianity: that personhood matters, that the anonymity or mass, groupthink, mentality gives way to an upward gravity to ascend, to be rewarded with more not less upon taking the confessional or humbling route.
What is this then about? That each person reflect that the trials and temptations are not vacuous or empty in intent: they intend fully to rob us of that supporting role played, to rob us of an ascendancy that is all the sweeter when it is as a supporting cast member. The devil fears what sympathetic souls can get up to together. The devil mocks first one and then another: actually to know and comprehend the facts on the ground, the roles played out, is a thought too lofty for us. And overnight the marginal figure becomes by route of confession, a central star.
That is, to be In Christ is to adhere to a decisive understanding wherein we Matter. What we do matters. Our hours of the day, piling up and landing one atop the other, are occasions for decisions that Matter. And the ennui, the sense of a foreboding fear all shall turn up empty in the end, the last stand, the lights turning off as we play last one out; all these things reinforce for us that gladsome opportunity to play as a supportive role yet one vertically busy. We are busy being relevant and useful, even if in small ways. We are busy comprehending, making sense of, studying the winds in the trees, the leaves rustling, the affections and fraternity amongst roommates and friends.
That is, to face down our own trial or temptation is no small matter but rather the least amongst us shall suddenly be pivotal. The meek and the just-getting-by shall suddenly be In Christ an influencer and central member of the cohort. All this not so we can get proud or self-important, but so we can live at the station we are called to live into. So that we can see each other Responsible, Essential, Barebones, and Meaningful. Decisions Matter. Unasked for support or affection or compliments Matter. People are all on the verge of something great. People are all one or two steps, masked in a devilishly difficult puzzle, away from simple Living Into, Living Up To, a calling each tailored to the individual. And we shall not fear the wind that gives way to change of seasons: all seasons and rhythms are entered up in faith and unafraid. Times shall change but our new uniform shall still be ours to bear.