July 10, 2024

Viewing all things through the lens of the True and the beautiful!

A note for regular readers: There are still no goat kids! If you are lost, the story is here. The farm vet comes for a check-in today!

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Podcast

The True

Deep Water

A great cloud of witnesses.

Earlier this week, our youngest son, Parker, accomplished a milestone feat—he passed the swimming test in the neighborhood pool! More than just a marker of all he has learned, it also earns him the right to swim in the deep end of the pool!

There were two moments from Parker’s great feat that are worth reflecting on this week:

First, as Parker was trying to muster the courage to take the test, a dear friend who has been working with him to strengthen his swimming stroke decided it was time to speak a firm truth: “Parker, get your tail over here and do this thing! It’s time, and I know you can do it!” It was an invitation Parker could have refused, but it wasn’t issued like a typical invitation, but rather as a command. I confess to having doubts it would work, but Parker responded by getting up, walking over, jumping in, and completing the test. I suspect a major contributing factor to why it worked is that the friend issuing the command/invitation had previously invested weeks’ worth of attention to Parker and his swimming. Parker knew that this friend was well aware of his capabilities, and that if he believed it was time, then it was time.

There was power in the confidence of the invitation specifically because of the investment that had been made in the weeks preceding the invitation.

The second moment came as Parker neared completion of the first phase of the test, and those of us around the pool began to cheer. Those cheers drew the attention of the community members in proximity to the pool, nearly all of whom knew of Parker’s longing to pass the test. As Parker moved to the deep end to attempt the final portion of the test—a timed deep-water tread—the deck around the deep end filled with people—a cloud of witnesses, you might say—cheering him on.

As the crowd cheered and counted down the time until Parker’s completion of the test, my eyes teared, as did those of a few around me. The cheering reached crescendo as time expired, and Parker exited the pool to high fives, hugs, and an invitation to sign his name in the official pool book.

It was an accomplishment for Parker, but it was fueled by the firm invitation of a trusted friend with courage to impart, and spurred on by a great cloud of witnesses from the community.

As you reflect on this seemingly simple occurrence, ask yourself a few questions:

1) Who are you investing into in anticipation of the moment when they will need some courage?

2) Who is it that might be ready for an imparting of courage from you?

3) Who is it that needs you in their great cloud of witnesses?

Maybe it is a swim test. Maybe it is a personal struggle or a crisis of faith. But someone needs to hear some firm and courageous truth and love from you:

“Get over here. Do this thing. It’s time. I know you can do it!”

And when you hear the building sound of someone around you being tested, run to the sound. Lend your courage and your vocal support to them in their time of testing. Each of us will be the one in the water at some time or another. Each of us needs the great cloud of witnesses to spur us on.

U.S.

Calls to Withdraw

It has been two weeks since the first presidential debate of the 2024 U.S. general election season, but the impact from it continues to spread. In a rare occurrence, a growing number of elected Democrats have publicly called for President Joe Biden to withdraw from the race. President Biden insists he will stay the course. The nomination will not formally be made until the Democratic National Convention, which will be held in Chicago from Aug 19-22, and the general election is set for November 5, 2024. While Biden’s nomination could be challenged from the floor of the convention, his critics concede a change in nominees is far more likely to occur as a result of his voluntary decision to withdraw.

Analysis and eternal perspective: The caliber of a nation’s leadership matters. This truth is affirmed throughout scripture, but perhaps most clearly in Proverbs 29. Among other principles, this passage reminds us that righteous rulers cause flourishing while wicked rule produces groaning (v. 2), that a king produces stability through justice (v. 4), and that a ruler who listens to lies corrupts his own administration (v. 12).

A self-governing system like the one enjoyed by Americans accentuates this principle. The caliber of the leaders chosen by the people has a direct impact on the flourishing of the country. It is why both competency and character matter when considering who should lead. You have almost certainly heard arguments diminishing the importance of one or both of these characteristics. It would be prudent for us to consider the source of those assertions when they are made, as they run counter to the consistent reminders of scripture. For example, when you hear, “Policy is all that matters,” you should reflect on Proverbs 22:1, “A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.”

Last week, we discussed our collective duty to work for the flourishing of our nation, and to pray for our leaders and their families. As the Democrat party and Democrat voters weigh whether President Biden is competent to stand for re-election, we should remain resolved to pray for the Biden family, the Trump family, and all our leaders. We should also resist the temptation to reject the scriptural criteria of competency and character for positions of leadership. While none of us have flawless competence or character, flourishing happens best when both are clearly present in, and aspired to, by our leadership.

U.S.

A Convention, a Platform, and a Running Mate

The Republican National Convention will be held in Milwaukee, WI on July 15-18, 2024. In the lead up to the convention, the Republican Party has released its draft platform. The 16-page document primarily reflects the priorities of the presumptive Republican nominee for president, Donald Trump. Once adopted, it will be the first platform adopted by Republicans since 2016, as the exercise was abandoned during the pandemic in 2020.

Former President Trump is also expected to announce his running mate during the lead up to the convention—or perhaps during the convention itself.

Analysis, eternal perspective, and prayer: The party conventions, while technically where nominees are selected, serve mostly as rallying cries and fundraising bases for the respective parties. However, they do provide you with an opportunity to evaluate the ideas being formally advanced and endorsed by the candidates through the party platforms. These platforms will not dominate the headlines, but do warrant your consideration.

As we in The Equipped family seek to steward well this gift of self-governance, let us together offer this prayer as both Republicans and Democrats head to their respective conventions:

“Heavenly Father, you are good and you hold all things in your hands. Thank you for the gift of your son, Jesus, that we might walk in eternal freedom. As we seek now to emulate that freedom in our own system of self-governance, we ask for your guidance. Grant us wisdom, temperance, and meekness, and may our fervor for the flourishing of our neighbors far outpace our appetite for power. May we model for our leaders a servant’s heart, and we ask now for you to work in them a growing passion for you. May this season promote competency, build character, and most of all speak of your glory. Amen.”

World

Children's Hospital Attacked

Dozens are dead and many more wounded after a Russian missile attack on a children’s hospital in Kyiv, Ukraine. The attack on the Ohmatdyt Children’s Hospital was one of numerous strikes carried out by Russia on July 8, 2024. As the war between Russia and Ukraine nears the two-and-a-half year mark, the loss of life at a children’s hospital strikes a particular somber chord for an already-besieged nation.

Analysis and eternal perspective: “When the wicked rule, the people groan” (Pr. 29:2). This story is a vivid reinforcement of this truth. Russian President Vladimir Putin has long been responsible for the bloodshed that is occurring as a result of his thirst for territorial conquest. This attack on a children’s hospital is simply the latest tally on his ledger of unconscionable offenses.

These are difficult realities to navigate. We know that vengeance belongs to God (Rom. 12:19), and that He is making all things beautiful in His time (Ecc. 3:11), but we also know we have a role to play in seeking justice and defending the oppressed (Is. 1:17). It can feel impossible to hold on to the promises of justice, beauty, and liberation in the face of a story like this. But we serve a God whose word is true, and who is coming again to liberate us from the bondage and decay of our present world (Rom. 8:21).

The Beautiful

Sweet Refreshing

There is a sweet beauty in the simple pleasures of life. After the swim test referenced above, Parker exclaimed, “Let’s go home and have Mom’s ice cream!” Brooke has been making homemade ice cream using fresh ingredients like the berries picked from our woods, and it has provided wonderful refreshing during an intense heat wave!

God’s words do something similar for our soul. Even when they are simple reminders of Truth we have long known, they refresh, restore, and root us in beauty!

“How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth” (Ps. 119:103)!