Battle Lines

“Life’s a looming battle to be faced and fought.” -George Banks (Walt Disney’s Mary Poppins)

Proverbs 8:2-3 ESV

On the heights beside the way, at the crossroads she takes her stand; beside the gates in front of the town, at the entrance of portals she cries aloud:

Ignorant. That is the best word for where I found myself. Listening to commentators talk of the latest news of the day. The Kansas Supreme Court had ruled that a women’s right to choose was guaranteed by the Kansas constitution. The particular commentator I was listening to made the obvious point that in the mid 1800’s such a constitutional guarantee was not likely intended by the writers. Yet, I was overcome quickly by a stark reality, I had never read the document. Even as I was overwhelmed by the reality of this miscarriage of justice, I went looking for ways to right this wrong. To this was added the further proof of my ignorance. Although I knew that the justices were subject to a vote of retention, unlike the federal Supreme Court, I did not know how or when!

Proverbs is a constant narrative between three beings, Wisdom & Folly, and Wisdom & the sluggard. Wisdom is personified as taking a stand at the places she is needed most; at the heights, at the crossroads and at the gates of a city (the place of judgment and rule for a town). Chapter nine of Proverbs tells of the way of Folly and how she is in the same places trying to seduce men to come to her and follow her way. Our fore fathers, be they federal or state, were aware of this. They knew the woman folly would be walking the halls of power and that the simple would follow her. So, they allowed for multiple avenues of correction. Famously the Federal Government gives three branches, that when working check and balance one another. The state of Kansas has a similar pattern and yet provides that all three are directly responsible to the people.

The more I watch Mary Poppins the more I see the wisdom of Mr. Banks. Even as Walt Disney seeks to change him and remove his masculinity to replace it with childishness, the reality of his statements echo with the haunting words of truth, as flippant answers are sung, into the hearts of a people creating a nation of children unable to face the toil of life. Seeking a “spoon full of sugar” in video games, legalized marijuana, and opioids leaving only the vacuum of lostness. Children and adults need to understand that life is a looming battle. Satan is at the door, stalking his prey, to “steal, kill, and destroy”, Folly does call to those who will listen.

As lines are drawn, trenches dug, and strategies & tactics arranged for the battles that await the church, let us not lie to our children. Those of our children whom God has called out of darkness will not be accepted by this world. If they and we are to live courageously for the Kingdom of God we will not be accepted and revered. Jobs, Careers, and other opportunities will be lost, will we as a church give “a spoon full of sugar” or a gospel message full of joy and lament, mourning with those who mourn, not hiding from the reality that life is hard? How will we fight this battle? Will we use the weapons given to us by our father in heaven, the word of God and prayer, or will we seek compromise and “peace in our time”?

Coram Deo