ignorance and peace

For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete.

2 Corinthians 10:3-6

I wonder what my life would look life if I stumbled out of bed each morning thinking I'm in a war. It's a sobering thought, especially in the realization that it holds true. As contrary as many of my actions suggest, I'm living and bleeding in a battle. It's a conflict that stretches back to the dawn of humanity, and blood has been spilled ever since.

So how did I get here, to this state of denial, this plateau of complacency? On the shores I tread so carelessly, there exists a dangerous ignorance. I can't deny it's affected me, in fact, much of my reason for writing is to openly confess it. These verses from Corinthians are direct...they speak with a forcefulness and intentionality that can't be overlooked. We have been given power through Him to spread truth, to live in a way that sheds blinding light into the darkness.

So what's the catch? It's that I've layed down my weapons, I've stretched my arms to the sky...not in worship but in surrendur. I've asked myself how I came to this place, and although the road winding behind me is faded and obscurred, my footsteps still resound in the distance with my compromise.

Part of it is how I've been trained. This is a world where truth has been packaged too neatly, it has been watered-down, dimninished, compromised. I've grown up in a world where scripture is digested conveniently with a latte (also conveniently purchased at the on-site church coffee shop). My desire is not to condemn the western church. Sure, we've gone wrong in so many ways. But I'm a part of the community, a member of the team...but we've become a generation thoroughly tangled in distraction. We're the sound/media/lighting generation, and admist the good this has produced, much has been lost and forgotten. I'm simply acknowledging we've strayed from the most important thing possible.

I guess I feel lke I've removed my armor and hung it on the wall. For whatever reason, I feel naively safe. And while my ignorance collects like the dust on my abandoned armor, the enemy overwhelms me.

Like it or not, faith is a struggle. It is an expectation. We don't collect our thoughts casually through intellectual conversation or emotional bliss, but we TAKE THEM CAPTIVE. The implication is that our thoughts and desires are inclined to run from truth. We are called to fight ourselves, to give up what we want and strive for His perfection. This isn't a five-step synopsis for a better marriage or financial future, it's not a potluck on a lawn, it's not our favorite worship song blasting from a sound system. It's sweat and blood, it's making sure we understand the reality and reason behind all those things.

We've become blind and aimless in our pursuit and undersatnding of God. We've been lied to. These aren't peaceful times. There is a war raging.