Those of us who feel that we are beyond needing the serpent in the wilderness are going  to be surprised, and we hope quickly recover, because people with not much more than their eyes and ears are being told to think for themselves about science and data and to believe that items found on the internet are reliable.  We have devoted considerable resources and attention to organizing ourselves. We organize our families for effect.  I do not mean just for show.  There is a drive to excel.  Churches and other like places know what they want to sell and they educate members about how to have a hand in shaping the view the world gets of us, or a view of the ideal. If we all are not careful we may find ourselves complicit in trafficking in falsehoods and partisan passions.  Unlike corporations and professional associations I find refuge in doing maintenance on my thoughts about the difference between my condition and what I might be a strong shield against being part of any organized deceit.

Plagued by serpents

Faith’s journey has been maligned and misrepresented by people looking for a way to position themselves at the top and in the right hand seat.  If Abraham has anything to do with faith we know his experience and example must shape ours and distinguish themselves from an arrival mentality, and prepare a people who are grateful for life, hungry for spiritual nourishment as patient travellers.

You and I tangle with narratives that are essentially not ours, and we are slow to admit that believing what we are told to believe is mostly childish fear and greed.  What we are told to believe as children vanishes when the eternal issue of life confronts us. Faith does two things that nothing else can do. What a dreadful waste it is when we organize our narrative apart from believing the wonderful works of God.

Who would have thought that blood on doorpost would be the way to position ourselves to be rescued from the common bondage?

Dead commander and living help

The critical questions about life are (a) who guarantees that people receive it and (b) who guides us through it.  The best guarantee and guidance do not come from the most distinguished of our ancestors like David nor the reliability of servants like any angel or prophet.

Acts 2:34-35

34. For it was not David who ascended into heaven, but he himself says: ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, 35. Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”’

Acts 2:34-35

Hebrews 1:13

But to which of the angels has He ever said, “Sit at My right hand, Until I make Your enemies A footstool for Your feet”?

Hebrews 1:13

If your faith requires that you  commit yourself to a messenger or an illustrious ancestor then your narrative is organized to deceive.