The True

We Build

Create, create, create.

Build, build, build.

Those were my repeated thoughts as I stood in the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City this week and observed our oldest son, Jude, browse the galleries. Jude and I were in the city for two days to celebrate his 16th birthday, and he came prepared with an impressive list of sites to see. Some were the typical tourist destinations—Statue of Liberty, 9/11 Memorial, Empire State Building, Central Park, etc.—while others were obscure addresses Jude wanted to see because of their relevance to a Marvel movie (especially the Spider-Man movies).

I have spent a lot of time in New York City, but I had never seen it through these eyes before.

MoMA was one of our last stops, and to be very honest, it would not have made it onto my list of must-see attractions. But Jude absolutely could not wait to see his favorite painting, Vincent van Gogh’s “Starry Night,” on display, so we reserved our tickets, waited in line, and he was not disappointed!

I cringe to admit that my first instinct about the experience was very different. While I was certainly intrigued to see works by van Gogh, Picasso, and the like, I was decidedly unimpressed by many of the other works. In a word, my first instinct was to criticize. A time or two, I even thought, “I could do that.” In some cases, it was true—I could have done that! But I did not, and someone else did even in the face of constant criticism like mine.

I was struck by the reality that so many of the artists featured in the older sections of the museum were rejected by their contemporaries. They were destitute while alive and their work was scorned by those around them. Certainly, some of them found acclaim while living, but a huge number of them were not significantly appreciated until they were no longer around to realize it.

There was a common theme, however, among these artists when they were met with rejection and criticism. They created anyway. They persisted. They built. They listened to the unique creativity placed within them, and they continued producing even when the response from those around them discouraged it.

You live in a culture quick to criticize. My reaction inside the MoMA is indicative of it. If you dare to live from the creative capacity endowed to you by your Creator, you are going to come face-to-face with the type of criticism that bubbled up in me, and in that moment, you will have a choice to make: You can yield to the criticism or you can build anyway.

Let’s together be a people relentlessly insistent on building and creating rather than criticizing and destroying. We live in a culture that will not understand, and one that is built around a mindset of criticizing.

Let’s you and I build anyway.

Let’s you and I create anyway.

Let’s you and I use eternal eyes to understand that we are not seeking validation in the here and now. Our mission is an eternal one, and we are to be about the task of building and creating in the vein and character of our Creator.

Criticism will come. Do not join it.

Keep building.

Keep creating.

By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames. (1 Cor. 3:10-15)

The Equipped

Join the Team

The Equipped exists to encourage and empower Jesus followers to live counter-culturally with a steadfast focus on all that is True and beautiful. It is always free to join, but a handful of supporters give financially to enable our shared work. Would you join the team by supporting The Equipped on a monthly basis? We are so grateful to be in community and on mission with you!

World

Free Speech or Aiding and Abetting?

The tenuous relationship between government and social media is once again on full display, this time in France as Pavel Durov, CEO of the app Telegram, was arrested (but not yet charged) on suspicion the company is engaged in illegal activity (including trafficking, fraud, illegal material involving minors, and abetting organized crime). Under French law, Durov must be either formally charged or released after four days in custody. Elon Musk, owner of X, is publicly defending Durov, posting “#FreePavel” on the X platform.

This story comes as Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta (Facebook) is speaking out about past pressure the platform received from the U.S. government to censor content—including stories about Covid-19 and Hunter Biden.

Analysis and eternal perspective: The relationship between government and social media companies has long been icy. Generally speaking, governments desire access to the information held by social media companies—sometimes for law enforcement reasons, other times to control or influence public perception on an issue. Social media companies generally (though not universally) are hesitant to share information with governments and must balance privacy laws and concerns with law enforcement requirements.

As Jesus followers, this is an area for exercising great caution. We often remind ourselves both that we were created to be free (Gal. 5:1) and that our freedom is to be used in service to others (Gal. 5:13-15). This story is a reminder that foundational human freedoms are fragile and must be carefully guarded. But in doing so, let us take seriously the direct admonition from scripture: “If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other” (Gal. 5:15).

Freedom reflects the character of our God and Creator. But how we use that freedom—a freedom for which we are designed—determines whether we glorify our God or are devoured by each other. Let’s together as The Equipped defend principles of freedom while remaining intensely committed to serving one another humbly in love.

U.S.

RFK, Jr. Out

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. has suspended his presidential campaign and endorsed former President Donald Trump. While Kennedy’s name will still appear on the ballot in many states, he is asking his supporters in swing states to vote for the former president. Shortly after announcing his decision, Kennedy appeared with Trump at a campaign rally. While no announcement about a role in a future Trump administration was announced, Kennedy’s running mate indicated it is a possibility.

Analysis and eternal perspective: In modern day American presidential politics, a few percentage points can mean the difference between a blowout electoral win and a blowout electoral loss. It remains to be seen what impact Kennedy’s withdraw and endorsement will have on the eventual outcome. However, both the Trump and Harris campaigns will certainly be angling for the support of voters previously inclined to cast their ballot for Kennedy.

As Jesus followers, we are not defined by our political affiliations or preferences, but by our common devotion to Jesus Christ and His Word. This is not a mandate of neutrality (far from it), but is quite specifically a counter-intuitive mandate to be for those with whom we disagree (Matt 5:43-44). This is nothing short of a radical idea and living it out is not the shortest or easiest path to winning a popularity contest. It is, however, a central component of following Jesus, and you might just find it to be the refreshing your soul needs.

So this week, whether you are inclined to vote for Trump, Harris, Kennedy, or otherwise, what is one tangible action you can take to heed the counter-cultural Gospel invitation to “bless those who curse you?” I dare say this approach is the one that will truly set you free.

World

A Second War in Israel

Tensions between Israel and Hezbollah have long been simmering on Israel’s northern border with Lebanon, but they spilled over into escalated attacks in each direction this week. While much of the world’s attention has been on the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, the Iran-backed and Hamas-allied Hezbollah has continued its hostilities and threats in northern Israel. This week’s developments, while being described as stopping short of all-out war, paint a vivid picture of the threat magnitude faced by Israel.

Analysis and eternal perspective: Another week, another wrinkle in the same story—Israel is under attack from a militant group with the goal of wiping Israel off the map. The result is a heartbreaking human toll of suffering on both sides of the border, as well as an escalating threat of a wider spreading war.

One of the most challenging goals we share as The Equipped family is the goal of persistence in the face of exhaustion. This is an exhausting story, and it is tempting to either push it to the side or grow weary in our commitment to calling the lost from every background to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. But do not grow weary in standing for what is true, as the harvest is reserved for those who do not give up (Gal. 6:9).

Pray for those in the region, as their suffering is intense. Reflect on our guiding scriptural principles. Acknowledge the special covenant God has with the Jewish people, as well as the abounding expansion of that covenant He offered to each of us through Jesus on the cross.

There is not an end to these conflicts in human sight. However, the day is coming in which, “He will wipe every tear from their eyes . . . There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things [will pass] away” (Rev. 21:4). That, my friend, is your promise, and it cannot be taken from you.

The Beautiful

All Creation Sings

My wife, Brooke, embodies persistence in creativity as well as anyone I know, and I am so grateful she captured this moment depicting several elements of creation all in harmony with each other. God engaged the act of creating for the very purpose of bringing glory unto Himself. He endowed you with creative capacity that it might also bring Him glory. Create something beautiful this week!

“You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands” (Is. 55:12).