“About this time some of the men and their wives raised a cry of protest against their fellow Jews. They were saying, ‘We have such large families. We need more food to survive.’” 

Nehemiah 5:1-2 NLT

Well, we have arrived at a point requiring a bit more explanation about the background of our rebuilders during this time in Jerusalem. You see, during their days a famine had swept across the land. When Nehemiah arrived families had already been struggling to survive. Add to that people halting their daily routines of farming or selling products to help build the wall, and we can understand the financial strain many of them felt.

There are three ways we can know this was serious: One is the use of great (gadol – exceedingly great, bitter) describing the outcry ( tseaquah – cry of distress) of the folk (am). The second is that the wives (ishish) joined in the protest. They were unable to feed their families during this time which was a situation needing solved before the work could continue. (source) They couldn’t go on until this was addressed.

The final way we can know this was indeed a grave matter is the use of against (el – about, concerning) their brothers (ach – countrymen, kinsmen, relative). “…their complaints were not lodged against the foreign authorities but against their own fellow countrymen who were exploiting their poorer brethren at a time when both were needed to defend the country. The poignant cry of the oppressed people is a cry to God for justice…Economic conditions forced even the considerable property owners to mortgage to the aggrandizement of the wealthy few (see Isaiah 5:8). The rich got richer, the poor poorer.” (source)

What a mess. Fortunately, our God is able and willing to step into our mess. And it seems clear from Scripture that when unity among His people is threatened, particularly in the sight of the watching nations, Yahweh takes it seriously. I believe the same is true for us as New Testament believers. Due to our interconnected, media-driven culture, the world is watching us, too, as we work to deal with injustice and disunity and grave outcries in our day.

Believers, may we take the lead against any sin affecting our people and our witness. May we not shy away from difficult truths, peace-keeping instead of peace-making, even as we seek to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. And when abuse or criminal offenses are involved, may we consult the proper authorities and take a clear stand against evil our Heavenly Father Himself is against.

And why do we obey in these matters? So we may live (chayah – make alive, nourish, revive; from chavah – declare, show). To declare among ourselves in the sight of a watching world we are alive in Him – rooted and built up in Him, nourished as we abide and revived by His energy daily, powerfully at work in us.

Friends, we are alive in Him. Let’s deal with grave issues so healing and building may continue. In the sight of all.

So many thoughts right now.

I had known about the controversy of this John Piper blog post for a week or so but, frankly, didn’t want to take the bait and read it. But finally did and it – along with Rachael Denhollander’s victim statement, all the #MeToo sadness, a phenomenal conference, texts from a ministry partner about a young woman not feeling safe in her home and needing shelter, this blog post, and my own personal junk – seems too much to not take the time and sort through in written form.

I’ll put the bottom line up front: I believe we are battling an evil spirit of patriarchal power and dominance. Certainly not only in our day, but in a way we cannot deny during our time on this planet. And I believe those who have done battle against it are the ones qualified to speak to it. The problem is, this root can bear a variety of fruit making it difficult to distinguish truth from lies. So let’s back up.

I was telling a friend the other day that, in the midst of learning so much about white privilege, classism and white supremacy, it hit me that I am raising future white men. White men – with all the privilege and power that (often sadly) can result in this broken world simply because of those two descriptors they didn’t choose. And the way I both respect my husband and properly submit to him and the way I wisely stand up to him and set healthy boundaries will affect their understanding in how to live with the privileged cards they’ve been dealt.

The way I see it, two extremes from me as the primary female figure in their formative years could set them up for failure. The first is modeling more of a doormat type of wife and mother. With my main function to meet their father’s and their own needs. As in, this is my highest and most worthy calling as an Ezer (from Azar, and with the descriptive adjective neged, from the word nagad. I linked to those so words such as conspicuous, other side, restrain, protect, ally, and aid could be noted.)

The other extreme to model for our future men is to attack or control or demand from their father or them in such a way that they either are turned away from female influence or experience shame in who God created them to be. I think there’s a way we women can go about making our points that can alienate the other half of the population. And, women, if we’re going to do battle on this, we need the men.

Listen, I think the Church spends a lot of time disagreeing about particulars in complementarian versus egalitarian points of view. And I get it: ideas have consequences and what we believe and live in our homes and teach in our communities matters. But more often than not, I think we spin our wheels with each other rather than love. If I was pushed I’m pretty sure I’d fall into the complementarian camp. I think it’s clear God made the two genders different. But I’d have some limbs dangling in a lot of cabins of the egalitarian camp. For starters, I have a pretty egalitarian bent, like in things such as liberty and justice for all. I also have a tendency to believe that being a helper or ally or aid means things like having a spine and healthy boundaries. No way to truly aid someone without it. Or even love them well.

As I type this I realize I’m likely representing only stereotypes of each side. Heaven only knows this isn’t simplistic. But I tend to think we agree on more things than we disagree in these areas. I believe Paul wanted men to be all God created them to be and lay down their lives for others and the Body. I believe Paul wanted women to be all God created them to be and lay down their lives for others and the Body. And there is no way based on how that man was led to do ministry, how he speaks of women, and his acknowledgment of spiritual gifts in the church that he only desired passive, compliant women. Nor do I think El Roi, the God Who Sees, saw to making half the population – and His Bride – a certain gender, gifting that half by the power of the Holy Spirit, then expecting silence to be their norm.

However, I know from experience with our God that submission to authority matters. Submission to abuse is evil. Submission to proper authority is vital. In His relentless pursuit to make us like Jesus, God wants us to know what to do if given authority. And how on earth could we wield authority without knowing how to yield to it? So this matters, and it matters in this conversation. But it’s not the main point I need to press today.

For me in the midst of all this, the main point is a disgusting fruit of this root: blame. This sense of self-blame says, “It’s all my fault” even in situations that clearly are not. A misplaced desire to keep the peace or defend or protect abusive or unhealthy behavior. But mostly, the whole reason ________ happened was because of self. It was the part I most resonated with in Rachel’s statement: if adults or authorities whose job it is to protect you say nothing is wrong with abusive behavior, the natural result is it must be me. I’m not a counselor, but I would assume this is a common stage for victims. However, I’m not sure all move past it at the same rate. I think many stay here and because of that, stay silent. And because of the way systemic oppression operates, there will always be multiple powerful voices helping keep that self-blame in place to silence victims.

And it is this fruit that most paralyzes me. And I’m sure many others, as I can only imagine how many more #MeToo confessions we would have if everyone told. And it is this lie, that everything is our fault, that needs to go back down to the pit of hell where it belongs. It looks like the wife whose husband cheats and her only response is to redouble her efforts to be a perfect wife. Or the female employee who blames herself for sexual harassment because she thinks her body is shameful. Or the rape victim in a country of rampant corruption who blames herself for not taking another route home. Healthy evaluation says, “This is what I’m responsible for, this is what I’m not” and moves forward. And in cases of victimization, healthy evaluation speaks into the shame with, “None of this is my fault.” Because the root of all this is a twisted version of a God-given ordinance to rule over creation. It has turned to power at the expense of others and sinful dominance over healthy stewardship.

Please hear me, I am not a man-hater. I’m a big fan. But if we don’t acknowledge the principalities and powers at work, none of us will be fully free to healthily live our lives in the here and now preparing for the Kingdom come. Many men are intentional at fighting against this evil, whether or not they realize or name it.

Every time they fight the urge to disbelieve women, discounting them as irrational or illogical, when they not only include female voices in matters involving vision or leadership but listen and take heed, men are fighting the good fight against this evil. When men are tempted to believe women are the enemy out to take over or belittle them, or only an object or out to seduce them, and instead replace those lies with Truth, they do battle against this principality. When men whose struggle is looking to women for their worth instead put their Heavenly Father on that throne and lead and serve and love and work alongside women as colleagues or sisters or friends, they resist another form of this dominance.

When men stand up for women, men, boys and girls who have been abused, no matter the social or positional cost, they triumph over this wickedness. When men use the strength they’ve been given to stand guard and protect those who need protection, shielding them from more danger, they live into their God-given design. When men get on their faces and pray for this broken world, nation, culture and specific individuals, God moves and gives victory.

And when God is clearly showing us an outpouring of His Spirit on all sons and daughters, we all together sense it and join Him. Because to resist is disobedience and making decisions based on fear is not wisdom. God has too much to say through His entire Bride for us to not listen. Or say to half the Body they have little or only certain topics to contribute to this time, our time now. And I’m just going to say it: in particular, I believe we need to be listening to women of color. Just pull up a chair and learn, friends, or we will be repeating a defeating cycle.

There’s more to say, there’s always more to say. But it’s been brewing in my mind, heart and spirit too long to ignore, so this is what I have for now. Blessings to anyone reading this. Pray with me against this? Like many things, our collective situation could get worse before it gets better. But a refined Bride dazzlingly reflecting a Glorious Savior is worth it.

“We all slept in our clothes—I, my brothers, my workmen, and the guards backing me up. And each one kept his spear in his hand, even when getting water.”

Nehemiah 4:23 (MSG)

Last time we watched Nehemiah position those outside the walls of Jerusalem as watchmen inside. Today we see how Nehemiah’s inner circle handled this time of battle.

“Not myself, my brothers, my servants, nor the men advising, guarding, and backing me up – we never took off our clothes or let down our defenses.”

Have you ever been to war? Maybe not an actual military war, but a war against your soul? A war against sacred truths and your sanity and your faith? I have. There was a time when I wasn’t sure if the battle would crush me. If I hadn’t had an inner circle of truth-tellers and God’s Word to cling to, it might have.

Nehemiah and his brothers, advisors and servants never let their guard down. They never took off the clothes which held their weapons, even for a brief time to wash up and get water. Because an enemy is an enemy for a reason. An enemy will look to attack when you least expect it. When your guard is down and the stakes are up.

Friends, the stakes are up now. The enemy of truth and beauty and justice and compassion is having his way in our time. And if we’re not making sure to guard against his attacks, we will be casualties. So do we get paranoid and anxious and fearful? Walk around with a defensive chip on our shoulders?

Certainly not. But we saturate our minds with the Word He breathed. We keep the lines of communication with Him open at all times. We make sure those to whom we entrust our hearts to advise us are doing the same. And we rest knowing the battle is His.

The weapons He gives us for our spiritual battle are not like those of this world. But, oh, are they powerful. And they lead to trust rather than anxious striving. And we all know there is much in our time to be anxious about. Praise Him we don’t have to be. We can keep our guard up without being defensive. And we can fight battles on a level no sword or spear can match.

Friends, let’s take Him at His Word. No enemy can stand against Him. And He is so faithful.

“So we labored at the work, and half of them held the spears from the break of dawn until the stars came out.

I also said to the people at that time, ‘Let every man and his servant pass the night within Jerusalem, that they may be a guard for us by night and may labor by day.'”

Nehemiah 4:21-22 ESV

Last time we watched as Nehemiah gave all the rebuilders, spread out along the wall with their different assigned sections, their orders: when the trumpet sounds, come. Today we see how the building proceeded.

I was interested this week in the Nehemiah’s wording as a leader. “So we labored” is we (anachnu) as in we ourselves, including Nehemiah. I think this is important. I was talking with my sister about leadership and she was telling me how soon Millenials will outnumber every other group out there in business, politics, healthcare, non-profit and education. More than Boomers, Gen-Xers and Xennials. And authoritative, commanding leadership styles will not cut it for them. Collaboration and working together is the key to rallying these troops.

Maybe we can learn something from them. Nehemiah certainly included himself in working on the work. But then it turns from we to them. “Half of them held the spears from the break of dawn until the stars came out.” Nehemiah didn’t hold a spear. And the wording gets a little more complex in the next verse with Nehemiah telling those who lived outside Jerusalem’s walls to stay inside them at night so they and their servants may help keep night watch.

And this looks much more commanding. So let’s back up a tad. Verse 22 uses a time qualifier –eth (appointed time, circumstance). During this time of very real death threats and threat to God’s work being stopped, action was needed. For all the folk who didn’t have a home inside the walls, the need to stay (tavek – in the midst, internally, among) within was crucial. For their safety and all the people’s.

But also for another reason: that they may be (hayah – become) a guard (mishmar – post, watch). To become a watchman.

Maybe your mind has been swimming this week like mine: thinking through racial reconciliation and indigenous voices; witnessing our culture see what’s considered “normal” sexual expression lead to a degradation of image bearers; seeing a government impasse and Dreamers’ welfare hang in mid air; and watching women stand up both for life and each other.

Sometimes seeing all the sides and all the work can be debilitating. But a thought I keep coming back to is from this tweet: God’s Kingdom doesn’t require any of us to choose between 2 evils or 2 goods. We simply choose to see Him on His throne and follow His lead. For that we must be watchmen.

We serve a God of perfect justice. We don’t have to wonder if the One from Whom all things come and through Whom all things are held together has any character flaws. And this powerful and intimate God calls us to obedience. These times, our times, are difficult, but we can watch for the One Who rides on the wings of the wind in Majesty.

Anything He is up to will involve dignity to all. We can know it’s of Him if it smells like service and looks like peace. Giving over winning and integrity over image. As watchmen we can resist what is against His Kingdom advancement because we’re choosing the better that will never be taken from us.

It is our time. Let’s be wise watchmen.

“Then I spoke to the nobles and officials and everyone else: ‘There’s a lot of work going on and we are spread out all along the wall, separated from each other. When you hear the trumpet call, join us there; our God will fight for us.’”

Nehemiah 4:19-20 MSG

Last time we talked about Nehemiah’s strategy to split up the builders – half to work on the wall, half to stand guard. With all the leaders lending their support. Today we see Nehemiah address this whole, positioned crew.

He addresses them all: the nobles, the rulers, and the rest of the people (am – folk). From those in political and social power to those with none. With newly known death threats in the rebuilders’ minds, Nehemiah reminds them that the work is great (rabah – multiplied, abundance) and large (rachab – broad, vast). As such, they are separated (parad – divided, scattered) from each other (ach – brother, countrymen) as they build their respective sections of the wall.

Oh friends, could this be more timely? Could a verse from Holy Scriptures about being divided among countrymen be more applicable? When it becomes ever more clear the President of the United States asserts overtly racist rhetoric toward countries of People of Color in order to rally his base of supporters, while hurting so many Americans in the process, how can we pretend we don’t understand this vast separation?

And Believers? How could we possibly act like this is only “out there” in the world and not one of the dividing factors in the Church, His Beloved Bride? In our narrative today, the countrymen are separated because of their unified work on a God-ordained project. If only that were the case for us in our day. If only our being far from each other were a matter of physical distance while we each worked whole-heartedly on what God had given us to do.

Something has to change. God is using this cultural moment to refine His Bride. I found it interesting the word for noble was chor from charar – to burn. Like refining metal in the fire, those of us born again are of His Noble birth. He will not rest until we resemble His beautiful, trustworthy character. He is calling us to lay down our idols, our pride, our racial and gender biases, prejudice, & bigotry. Until He becomes all, nothing will change. Until His Kingdom is more valuable than nationalism, we will not be working on a unified project but will be at one another’s throats.

And for those of us all in? Those of us seeking daily to lay down our pride, idols, bigotry and bias and genuinely repent? Those asking Him to help us overcome our selfish wills to submit to His perfect one? Well, when you hear the trumpet, come.

The Hebrew is spectacular in this section. Hear is shama – hear & obey. The implication is trust. The second you hear the sound, drop everything and come fight for your brothers and sisters. For sound the Hebrew is qol – voice, proclamation. You may have seen it written kol – as in Kol Yahweh, the voice of the LORD. And trumpet is shophar or shofar, the ram’s horn used to call the Israelites toward introspection and repentance before the One True God.

When you hear God’s voice laced in the pain of others, drop everything and come. When His voice is the sound of wounded sisters, come. When it’s betrayed nations, come. When it’s grievous sin among the church, come. Really, on this MLK weekend, when there’s any attack on any image bearer, come. Gather (qabats – assemble, meet, rally) because our Elohim will fight for us lacham – devour, overcome, prevail.

Our Creator God will have His way. Fortunately, His way involves beautiful justice, heart-breaking mercy, humility and joy. When you hear Him calling, come. Join us there.

“From then on half of my young men worked while the other half stood guard with lances, shields, bows, and mail armor. Military officers served as backup for everyone in Judah who was at work rebuilding the wall.”

Nehemiah 4:16-18 MSG

Last time we watched as the rebuilders returned to the wall, each to their own work. Today we see Nehemiah implement a new military strategy: half the men worked while half stood guard. Work here is asah – to accomplish, advance, bear. Then in the Hebrew another word for work is used. So “half the rebuilders worked on the work.” That second word for work is melakah from last time: craftsmanship, cattle, product, property, service.

Half the builders advanced the wall that represented protection and a united identity as Yahweh’s people.

And the other half? They stood guard. The word used is chazaq – to be firm, strong, support. This half may not be using the majority of their energy putting up the wall but they were a firm support to those who were.

And speaking of supporting. The rulers (sar – chiefs, officials, commanders) stood behind (achar – after, rear) the whole lot of them. All the house of Judah who was rebuilding in earnest, each on their own work.

There are so many whose call right now in our day is to rebuild. Working alongside His Spirit as He refines His Bride. Highlighting idols and shining light on dark principalities. If that is you, bravo. Your connection to Him and His Word and community is of vital importance. As you immerse yourself in those three areas and build, many are willing to stand guard. To pray and give platform and hold up our shields of faith and sword of the Spirit on behalf of the work.

Our unity in the Spirit is crucial right now. With our diverse backgrounds, experiences, callings and assigned positions, let’s come together and work on the work, keep watch or support as needed. All of it is rebuilding, all necessary.

All is service to our worthy King Yahweh.

I don’t know what else to do. This is absolute madness, and I hate the way situations right now can – still, after everything – be so swept under the rug.

The President of the United States is playing with fire. I believe the emphasis should first be on playing because that is the result. Playing with national security, playing with taunts & their outcomes toward a shame-based culture, playing with people’s very lives – not just a few but millions.

And fire should be emphasized. This is pure evil at work. And whether the president sees it for its full ramifications or not, he is being complicit – and flippant – with evil. And I cannot not resist such actions since being silent in the face of evil is to be complicit with it. The president’s behavior has been so erratic and so justified, we are being conditioned to normalize it. We have to refuse. This is not okay.

I’m continuing to learn about White Supremacy and my complicity in it. And how those who are leading right now are showing the need to focus on this root evil – this principality of White Supremacy – in our present moment. And how this principality affects all the rest of our situation.

He is giving us all time to repent, friends. If you’re not sure what you need to repent of, ask. Ask Him, ask someone who can give you a glimpse of what it is like to not be white in our country. Remember if you are not a person of color, white privilege is the air you breathe. We have to become aware of it. And acknowledge white supremacy is the natural byproduct of even the most sincere of us.

Pray. Keep the Word alive, on the very tip of your tongue. Let those who know first-hand lead us.

And resist. We may not be being asked to bow down to a literal statue, but we do need to stand up against the natural flow of our culture right now.

Let’s stand.

“Then our enemies heard that we knew about their plans and that God had ruined their plans. So we all went back to the wall, each to his own work.”

Nehemiah 4:15 NCV

Last time we looked at Nehemiah’s strategy to put courage into his rebuilders: to remember Adonai and overcome attacks. Today we see the result: the enemies of God’s plan realizing He had thwarted theirs.

I appreciate God’s timing. As I type this, it is New Year’s Eve day. A time to think through plans and strategies and one last hurrah. A time to be intentional in how to love others and let go of plans that God would want ruined (parar – disappoint, cast off, fail, frustrate).

And most definitely a time to get back to work – melakah. In the Hebrew this word for work can mean many things: an article made, a business, cattle, craftsmanship, labor, project, property, service, supplies, workmanship. We’ve talked about work before. There is so much to build and rebuild in our day.

Oh me? I’m glad you asked my plans. I have things such as loving my dear, dear family and friends. Eating like a nearly-40-something rather than a teenage boy. Writing until it becomes a joy again.  Renewing my zeal for learning in classes. Loving Pre-K kiddos and new coworkers. Basically living and loving with intention.

How about you? Are you crafting something or herding cattle? Laboring with your hands or leading with your heart? Using property to serve others with fair pricing? Starting a business or working hard at another’s? Taking on projects or serving your neighbor?

Whatever we do this year, may it flow from our union with Him. We ourselves cannot. But in Him, it is possible. All of it. Birthed from our abiding, drenching others in His Spirit. Back to building, friends, each to our own work.

Blessings in 2018.

“And I looked and arose and said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, ‘Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.’”

Nehemiah 4:14

Last time we watched as Jews from the surrounding area warned the rebuilders to return to them. Rather than give in to fear, Nehemiah stationed the folk all around the city to defend against attack. Today we watch the governor stand up with dignity (qum) and inject courage into the rebuilders.

When all kinds of reports of attack are coming at a group of people, it is easy to want to turn back. Nehemiah challenges them to not allow fear (yare) to rule before (paneh) the face of their enemies. But instead to bring to mind (zakar) the Lord (Adonay, Adonai) the Master Who is exceedingly high and mighty (gadol). He is the frightening one (yare). The rebuilders, in alignment with God’s will, do not have to be afraid of their enemies because their Master is frightening – the One worthy of reverence.

What a great strategy. One we can use right now too. Do you hear of wars and rumors of wars? Remember Adonai. Are you overwhelmed with political turmoil and division? Bring to mind our Master. Does the lack of dignity given to image-bearers across the world scare you? Me too. Let’s be mindful of our Sovereign ruler.

Putting this practice first keeps the weight of the world on the proper One. And helps us obey the second practice: to fight (lacham – overcome, prevail) for (al – hovering over) the cause. Or: an overcoming attitude hovering over the enemy on behalf of other image bearers.

In our narrative today, Nehemiah is charging the people to fight for their countrymen, families & homes with swords. And there are times when that is the most loving thing to do. But remember, this is to defend against attack. Nehemiah is not saying, “Charge!” but rather, “Overcome!” The people are not to intentionally go start a war, but neither are they to retreat when a fight comes to them.

The same is true for us all spiritually. While we are not arrogantly looking for a fight, there comes a time when a prevailing attitude, rooted in the Majesty of the King, is needed on behalf of others. Fortunately our hope is not misplaced.

We have a King Who can fix a spotlight of a star in the heavens so pagan kings will seek out the birth of a Baby. That same King can pierce the night with warriors of light erupting in praise before simple sheep herders. And that King overcame the distance between us and Him by contractions and blood and a cold, hard stone floor.

The exceedingly high and mighty One overcame by humble birth and humiliating death. His crown came at a cost. And on behalf of all image bearers who would receive.

Let every heart prepare Him room.

“At that time the Jews who lived near them came from all directions and said to us ten times, ‘You must return to us.’

So in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall, in open places, I stationed the people by their clans, with their swords, their spears, and their bows.”

Nehemiah 4:12-13 (ESV)

Last time we saw the rebuilders’ enemies seeking to come among & kill them to stop the work. Today we see the surrounding Jews, those who did not gather to rebuild, warning the builders to get away from Jerusalem to avoid the attack.

I’ve been thinking this week about the Hebrew word for return: shub – to turn back. Heaven only know the number of times I have needed to turn back from something that was not best for me. But what about when we are smack dab in the center of what He wants for us? That’s when a well-intentioned “return to us” becomes something we need to stand against.

In fact, that’s exactly what Nehemiah did with this warning from their fellow Jews: He stationed people (amad – to take one’s stand) to fight against the attack. If the Jews who had gathered from surrounding areas to rebuild turned tail and ran, the unity being built and the wall starting to take shape would crumble. No, taking a stand was needed.

I appreciate the two areas listed where Nehemiah stationed the people. Both in the lowest parts (tachti – beneath, depths) behind the wall and in open places (tsechichi – higher place, in the glaring sun). And you may like the word used in this situation for people: am – folk. Just the regular, ordinary folk. No special titles needed to take a stand, whether He’s asking you to humble yourself and be stationed in the lowest role, or with great responsibility in a higher one, smack in the glaring sun. Both are crucial, you know. Surprise defense against an enemy attack can only come from those hidden stations. And the character He can grow in you during such a time is desperately needed in the fight of faith.

Where do you need to take a stand right now? Wherever and whatever He has called you to – whether seeking unity, speaking Truth to power, laying down your rights, loving your enemies, taking up your cross, humbling yourself in a relationship, or blessing those unlike you – the spiritual resistance to which He calls us will not ever be with swords, spears or bows.

Source

After all, we worship a Savior Who left power to humbly take on what keeps us up at night. He laid down authority to let our pride humiliate Him. He set aside an army of angels to walk unarmed into our violence.

As we learn to live between the two advents, may we take on His compelling way of life. Folk aren’t drawn into His Kingdom with brute force, selfish ambition, or unbridled power. But rather by the Light and Joy and Peace His arrival brought.

Wherever He’s called us, lets take our stand on a Baby King in a feeding trough. His humility in the lowest place is what radiates His beauty in the glaring sun.