The unbeliever does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him. And he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. The one who is spiritual discerns all things, yet he himself is understood by no one. (1 Corinthians 2:14-15)
I watch Chinese faces in the underground church as they cry out in passionate worship, and I know why they risk gathering. I join Africans in a praise dance, clapping out complex rhythms and shouting between lyric phrases, and I know exactly what's inside their hearts. I overhear a political fracas or gasp after the latest school shooting, and a secret knowledge of the cause burns in my soul.
As a Christian, I have clearance for intelligence on the state of two opposing unions. I am briefed on what makes heaven sing and what makes hell screech. But I can’t talk about it openly. Discussions of divine glory and eternal burning appear fanatical to those who do not lift the lens of Jesus Messiah to their eye.
An agent of God is called to fix what they can that is broken in this world. Jesus bestows far more authority on us than our enemy would have us know. We can pray down strongholds, speak the words of God, and be operatives of reconciliation. Every Jane and Joe Christian among us needs to rise up as the spiritual warrior we were meant to be.
There are, however, struggles that are destined to continue until Christ returns. Jesus lamented Jerusalem when he longed to gather her children like a hen gathers chicks under her wings. Paul spoke of holy groaning—a deep, commiserating heartache that we are not home in God’s perfection.
I am moving through an epic tragedy with my best comrade, Jesus. We shout victory after some fights, after others we weep—in everything we are together. Throughout eternity, he and I will retell our adventures under a giddy bond because we lived them—both the heavenly and the hellish—together.
Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, you for entrusting me with your knowledge.