Stranger
This is strange- very strange. Ever since I heard about SuAnne’s vision and heart to start Yahweh Warrior Lodge, I’ve been drawn to the endeavor. And that’s strange for me. I’m not usually like that. I’m usually skeptical of the next “Christian Whatever”—the next book, speaker, fad, song, non-profit, …whatever. But this time is different.
This time, I have an inner confidence and conviction that YWL will be a fruitful enterprise for the Kingdom of God. It’s not to say I haven’t had moments of doubt from a human perspective (statistics around start-ups are not encouraging), but the stories of sacrifice and generosity, fellowship and stewardship that continue to be a part of the YWL story encourage and build up my faith in Almighty God. I am reminded that where 2 or 3… or 140 are gathered in His Name and agree on anything concerning the Will of God, big things get done. Impossible things become possible. And Hell’s Gates get lifted up from their hinges and hauled away with less significance than a baby gate!
But God’s work is strange. He uses Fatherly Kindness and Gentleness to reveal sin in His Child’s life to bring about spiritual renewal and transformation. And so it is with me. In the same moment I stand in amazement, awe, and appreciation for what God has already done in our midst and pray with boldness, “His Will be done” in the Northwoods, I also stand convicted before God for sin in my life.
In the midst of God’s Kindness allowing me to witness His Work in His People, the Great Shepherd gently reveals the truth: the skepticism I’ve held onto for years regarding “Christian Whatevers” is actually cynicism. And cynicism is wrong. Cynicism is a veiled attitude of pride and self-righteousness that results in pessimism and distrust. Cynicism is antithetical to faith, hope and love.
We are a strange and peculiar people. Instead of hiding our sin, blaming others, or justifying it, we have this strange idea that if we confess our sin and bring it out into the Light, the Judge of all the earth is actually Faithful and Just to Forgive and to Cleanse us from all our unrighteous thoughts, attitudes, words, and behaviors. We have this strange trust in God’s Unseen Reality that in view of His Mercy towards us, we can offer ourselves back to our High Priest as a Living Sacrifice--Holy and Acceptable. And we have this strange hope that our old self will actually die and New Life can emerge—a transformation of epic proportion.
It feels strange to be free of this cynicism. I didn’t recognize the burden until it was gone. In its wake is an empty, clean feeling. There’s a lightness. There’s hope. There’s joy. In the days, weeks, and months to come, I expect the Spirit of our Rabbi to teach me a new way.
It’s strange. Before the Banquet, I didn’t even realize the war being waged against my soul; but now I’m asking the Warrior King to help me level up and fight the good fight. Is that strange? Maybe.
What about you? How is Yahweh moving in your life?
Dear friends, I urge you as strangers and exiles to abstain from sinful desires that wage war against the soul. -- 1 Peter 2:11