November 27, 2024

Viewing all things through the lens of the True and the beautiful!

Happy Thanksgiving! We at The Equipped are grateful for each of you, and together we thank our great God for the opportunity to share in this community!

The True

Default Setting

What is your default setting? Are you naturally even-keeled or easily animated? Are you an extrovert or an introvert? Are you boisterous or quiet? The list of possibilities is endless, but in many ways questions like this paint a picture of your natural personality and disposition. They do not, however, accurately get to the heart of the question as I mean it and as I invite you to consider it today.

God’s creativity is endless, and nowhere is that more on display than in how He has designed the objects of His affection—you and me. He has made us both energetic and calm. He’s made us loud and quiet. He’s made us social bugs and homebodies. He’s made us people of action and bookworms. He’s made us impulsive and steady. There are endless juxtapositions to add to this list, and He has designed them all. At first glance, it appears so inconsistent and random.

And yet, there is a default setting to which each of each is called. No matter the unique personality mix He has bestowed upon you, He has also given you a default setting that will enable the impact of your life to be certain in the end. This default setting is described in Psalm 1:1-3:

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.

The end of this passage promises what so many of us are looking for—a life’s impact that is consistent and impactful.

But what is it that leads to the realization of that promise? What is it that allows all those who walk or stand or sit to produce fruit and achieve impact? What is the common thread and, yes, the default setting?

The answer is exceedingly simple but wholly transformational—the default setting that lends power to every personality is an absolute fixation on and fidelity to the Word of the Lord.

His law should be the root of your delight.

It should guide your thoughts during the day.

It should be the substance of your dreams at night.

In other words, it should be your default setting.

In many ways, our world changes at an astounding rate. News, politics, health, relationships, and more are constantly changing and pelting us with competing stimuli. If you are not rooted in something consistent, you will be thrown off course.

But you, my friend, have a default setting. It is a setting we are called to share no matter the differences in our personalities or giftings. It is a setting of rootedness in his Word and His law that injects life into our being whether we walk or stand or sit.

Where is your delight?

On what does your mind fixate?

Our God has created billions of unique human expressions of His character. But each of us is offered a default setting to unleash His will in our life. It is setting of absolute obsession with and fidelity to His law. Recommit to that setting today, won’t you!

U.S.

Election Impact

It has been a busy few days in post-election news in America:

- President-elect Donald Trump has completed his cabinet nominations. His first pick for Attorney General, now-former U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, withdrew a day before the U.S. House Ethics Committee was set to release its findings on alleged sex trafficking and drug-related charges. Gaetz has denied the allegations but appeared to lack the votes in the U.S. Senate for confirmation. Trump quickly nominated former FL Attorney General Pam Bondi to replace Gaetz.

- Federal judges granted the dismissal of two pending criminal cases against the President-elect—the first related to actions surrounding the violence on January 6, 2021, and the second related to sensitive documents stored at Mar-a-Lago.

- The U.S. financial markets remain significantly higher after surging on news of the election outcome. Trump’s promise of tariffs injected some turbulence, but all major indices remain higher.

Analysis and eternal perspective: No matter your political perspective or the outcome of the most recent election, it can be challenging to maintain an objective view of the happenings in your world. It can also be challenging to delineate between that which warrants your time and energy, and that which does not. As a Jesus follower, these are exercises worth constantly completing in order to remain focused on the True and the beautiful, and in order to keep your impact focused on your Gospel mission.

To that end, no candidate or nominee should receive your unequivocal support or opposition. That fidelity belongs only to God, and we are instructed by scripture to allow the fruits of a person’s life to inform us of their character (Matt. 7:15-20).

As for the criminal cases against the President-elect, it was always clear the election would have a material impact on them. No person—including the President—is above the law, but a sitting President enjoys wide immunity (a two-edged sword recently reiterated by the U.S. Supreme Court). Thus, the voice of the electorate was expected to determine the course of these proceedings. In many ways, while the outcomes of the 2020 and 2024 elections were different (which impacts the perspective of many), they provide a good window into the strengths of self-governance. An election does not validate the actions of any party or candidate, but each one should empower the electorate to chart the next few steps forward.

Finally, financial markets, like governments of men, are fleeting. As Jesus followers, our resources come from God and belong to Him (1 Chron. 29:12-16). If your bottom line is flourishing, endeavor to be generous. If it is struggling, endeavor still to be generous! In this, you and I can remain steadfastly aimed at an impact beyond ourselves.

World

News from the Front Lines

Two wars have been waging in Israel—one with Hamas on the border with Gaza and one with Hezbollah on the border with Lebanon. There is now, however, a newly agreed to ceasefire in place between Israel and Lebanon.

Meanwhile, the International Criminal Court (ICC) has again issued war-related arrest warrants, this time for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Mohammed Deif, a Hamas leader of the October 7, 2023 attacks into Israel.

Analysis and eternal perspective: First, news of ceasefire deals consistently outpace actual sustained ceasefires. While we as The Equipped community pray for lasting peace, we should remain aware of the reality that lasting peace requires more than the start of a new ceasefire.

Next, remember that the ICC has no legal jurisdiction in Israel, rendering its arrest warrants essentially meaningless inside the country. There are, however, some governments who view the warrants as valid within their borders, effectively restricting Netanyahu and Gallant from traveling to those countries. Deif is believed to be deceased.

A third war wages here, though not one of bullets and weapons. It is a war for moral equivalency. As Jesus followers, we must not grow weary in applying a biblical lens to these wars. Every person—regardless of nationality—was created in God’s image (Gen. 1:26-27) and is called into relationship with Him (Lk. 19:10). Simultaneously, God’s covenant relationship with the Jewish people (Gen. 12:3, Deut. 7:6-9) has informed efforts to exterminate them throughout human history. Weariness must not weaken our resolve to continually reaffirm these truths.

U.S.

Convicted of Murder

Jose Ibarra was convicted by a Georgia judge of the February murder of Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student. The case came to national prominence in large part due to Ibarra’s illegal crossing into the United States. Ibarra waived his right to a jury trial, was convicted by the judge on all 10 counts levied against him, and was sentenced to life in prison without parole.

Analysis and eternal perspective: We should grieve with and for the Riley family. What a devastating loss to endure in such a horrific way. This story, while often legitimately surfacing due to the policy debate around border security, is at its core a stark reminder about our fallen and sinful nature. Ibarra’s actions are rightly abhorrent to us, and his sentence reflects a measure of the justice we are instructed to seek in Isaiah 1:17.

Even so, the consequences of Ibarra’s actions remain on vivid display. We should remember the Riley family in prayer over the days and years to come. We should also work to restore the brokenness so evident in Ibarra’s life, and to improve the public policies that exacerbate the resulting public threat. Finally, we should humbly acknowledge our own need for forgiveness and rejoice in the abundant mercy and grace bestowed on us (Heb. 4:16).

The Beautiful

Mimi

Mimi was indeed beautiful, inside and out. Our family honors her life, love, and legacy this week, and we rejoice that she is now and forever with her Jesus. Mimi, we miss you, but we echo those beautiful words from our Savior still ringing in your ears: “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Indeed, well done, our precious Mimi.