“19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. 20 For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. 21 For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel. 23 I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me, 24 and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also. 25 I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need, 26 for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. 27 Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. 29 So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men, 30 for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.” (Phil 2:19-29 ESV)
Buoyant for the cause, traits passed on, healing Evidentials, Experientials: the patience to know God will arrive, the patience to understand God is with us, the patience to grasp a Dreamland we dwell in: these things rattle around the mind only occasionally. Because we leapfrog off of one another. Because the selfless Giver has a modicum or creed that Bears Fruit illustriously Today and in the Morrow. They are the Winners if their Message is a subtle copacetic Kumbaya and Patience for what comes.
Rigid structures and formalisms notwithstanding, the soldier’s passion was learnt on mother’s knee, on father’s knee. Was learnt in the vast Freedom of a social scene or dating framework. A bestie reunion or clamped-down Belonging to the Crew as evidenced in a few drops poured out for lost ones, and—meanwhile—induction underway.
The proof is in the pudding, that our best visions of friends and colleagues, of acquaintances and fellow-travelers, is upheld by that offloading of responsibility, that delegation of tasks, that wide-eyed Reverence for another’s skillset. Before we know it, the peace shall be shattered and who will be left holding the gauntlet, the cup of woe and of blessing? Before we know it, the rude rigidity of a foreign religion, will be Required of us at the altar: will you thus Dialog? Or will you hide even from your own orthodoxy, as relevant and similar in outlay?
Tasked to Think, tasked to Frontline, tasked to Share: the soldier gives and gives some more, even as forgetful of who and why he or she was made over as Soldier At Large. Each of us soldier at large, tasked to work right on through the advent of a Brighter Tomorrow as seen through the lens of present-day warring. Madness around spirit, around if we’re fighting all things told on behalf of our principles, or out of racial hatred or ethnic shirking, discomfort, etc. Is this our battle waged against those who, let’s face it, share a Creative Streak and Loving Homestyle Brew? A family around the hearth, a community encouraged to Thrive and be Creative? In all this, our Religion: as learnt on mother’s knee, in father’s arms, is capable of making the small steps, but significant ones: patience, expectation of reward or Second Coming, dutiful manful stationing and occupancy of the watchtower.
No theft of these our friends’ teachings, but instead gladsome Repartee insofar as ideas germinate, and friendships preclude the button that says “bombs away”. Gladsome delving into our orthodoxy as something Germane and Relevant, an appreciation for cultic Rabbinic curating and safeguarding of O.T. “Law” insofar not just as it is needed today, but insofar as we are here and now Making Law around technologies most modern, and social structures most novel. Only this: that our first calling Today is not to fret about codifying, but rather to Invest in the Love Shown, as a means and manner for Grace to uphold and Oh-by-the-way for a little Wisdom therein to fructify via the passionate Appreciation for Grace Upheld.
No time to legislate, but all the time in the world to come to our senses: fifteen minutes of Bible time each morning? Or a nighttime prayer most respectful? We desire to show ourselves Submitted precisely because we know our Ambition, our Course-of-Action, is daring and almost presumptuous. The precious things… the family hearth and dynamic… this is entering a trying era, but a good one for that reason: because Real Concepts are negotiated. So, too, the Community, the City, the Nation: hey, it is said, how dare you step on my toes? Well, so be it, we try not to, but also we need Divine Intervention to dispense Peace and Belonging, Composure to our brethren and sistren.