October 7, 2026

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

The True

Strategically (Dis)Engaged

In the world of foreign policy, there is a wide spectrum of strategic approaches used with the aim of achieving national security.

On one end are strategies like “strategic restraint” or “strategic neutrality.” These strategies are marked with characteristics of non-engagement and passivity, and are embraced by the likes of Switzerland.

On the other end are “strategic deterrence” and “peace through strength.” These approaches are centered on robust military strength, and are deployed by the U.S., China, and numerous other world powers. “Peace through strength” originated with British pre-World War II foreign policy and became common vernacular when U.S. President Ronald Reagan embraced it.

The debates between these two approaches—and everything in-between—are fierce, and they frequently surface in the midst of war itself. For example, the Swiss are often called upon to be a neutral arbiter between warring parties, even though their strategic neutrality is mostly aimed to keep themselves out of conflict. Meanwhile, the U.S. and China are pursued as coveted potential allies by virtually every entity that goes to war. A decision by either superpower to deploy their strategic strength simultaneously threatens to diminish it.

Both strategies require significant discipline and strength to deploy in a principled and consistent manner. It is not our mission today to test the strengths and weaknesses of each. There are, however, a number of extremely valuable parallels for our own life.

On the “strong” side of the coin, a Jesus follower should:

1) Be marked with strength and courage – Joshua 1:9 says it plainly: “Be strong and courageous.” You serve a God who is stronger than all the brokenness around you, and it should show!

2) Use your strength to defend the weak – Your strength and courage is needed, but it is not primarily for you; it is for those who don’t have it. “Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed” (Ps. 82:3).

3) Don’t use your strength in a way that hinders another – This is the flip side of the same coin (and therefore belongs in the list below, as well). It is not enough to defend; strength must also be carefully stewarded as to not destroy. “Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak” (1 Cor. 8:9).

On the “restraint” side, a Jesus follower is encouraged to:

1) Decline to engage unproductive conflicts – Paul makes me chuckle in 2 Timothy 2:23 with his direct candor: “Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.” Engaging where it isn’t productive is worse than unproductive; it’s destructive.

2) Be ok with going unvindicated on Earth – There is tremendous power in humility and being content without vindication. Jesus famously attested to this in the Sermon on the Mount: “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven” (Matt 5:11-12). It’s a fact: you will be vilified, and sometimes specifically because of Jesus. That is not always cause for a response. In fact, many times your vindication waits until heaven.

So, which is it? Strength and engagement or restraint and disengagement? Yes! As with so many things in God’s Kingdom, it’s a tension of both. I personally find the greatest challenge in being content unvindicated. My nature wants to not only be correct but be shown to be correct! For me, contentment in disengagement often takes the greater strength.

This week, ask yourself, am I deploying both strategic engagement and strategic disengagement? Am I willing to use my strength to defend the weak? Am I content with being unvindicated here on Earth? Am I truly aiming for a heavenly reward?

Technology

AI Rebranded

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is getting a rebrand from the U.S. government. According to an Executive Order issued by U.S. President Donald Trump, all official government references to the technology will occur using the term “Super Intelligence” or the acronym “SI.”

In addition to the rebrand announcement, President Trump and the leaders of six major technology companies signed a White House Accord on Super Intelligence. The document is not legally-binding but was called “morally binding” by the president and commits the tech leaders to self-regulating AI/SI using “four layers of controls and audits.” The leaders of Google, Anthropic, Meta, OpenAI, XAI, and Nvidia signed the pact.

Analysis and eternal perspective: AI is dominating the news. Every week brings new stories about the technology’s potential for both good and ill. Perhaps the pithiest description for this dynamic is that you should expect the technology to accelerate both the good and the bad, and it will be up to you to parse between the two. To the extent that is true, it will be a far more important discipline than which moniker you choose to use for the technology.

As for the agreement to self-police their industry, it is highly unlikely this pact will satisfy the public through any major complication or incident. Even the document itself concedes that “[o]ver time, it may make sense to codify these steps into laws or regulations.” The eventuality is a matter of when, not if.

While self-policing is not a long-term regulatory strategy for an industry, it is absolutely a discipline for you and me as Jesus followers. All throughout scripture, we are reminded of the importance of disciplining our own being and subjecting it to God’s authority and control. Proverbs 16:32 says, “Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.”

It is counter-intuitive, but restraint and self-control require more humility and strength than retaliation and reaction. In a world of AI, SI, and lightning-fast and near-constant connectivity, you and I would do well do embrace a self-policing habit of being content without vindication. It will take discipline and humility, but it will build in us the strength of a warrior.

World

Out of Iraq

The United States has closed its last base in Iraq, ending a 12-year mission to eradicate ISIS and potentially ending a 23-year stretch of near-constant presence in the country since the 2003 post-9/11 invasion. The initial invasion began as Operation Iraqi Freedom and was aimed at terrorism and weapons of mass destruction generally, while the more recent phase was targeted specifically at expelling ISIS. In 2024, the U.S. agreed to begin withdrawing troops, a commitment which has now been fulfilled.

Analysis and eternal perspective: War has very long and strong tentacles. That is perhaps the most succinct practical takeaway of this story. Whether you agree or disagree with the original 2003 decision to invade, it triggered 23 years of engagement by U.S. troops. The short lull between missions is notable but also a reminder of how difficult it is to truly end a long-term military presence. The weeks and months ahead will be a critical time for the people and government of Iraq to demonstrate self-governance and security, and to ward off the ever-present threat of terrorism.

Psalm 34:14 is one of our most-often quoted verses here at The Equipped: “Seek peace and pursue it.” We should rejoice in the news of an ebb to war. However, we should remain mindful that the command to pursue peace is a reminder of its elusive nature. The closure of a base today is far from a guarantee that peace in the region is secure or permanent. Jesus followers should prefer peace, seek peace, and pursue peace, but we should do so mindful that it is difficult to achieve. Our world is a volatile one that will continue to have conflicts, and our pursuit of peace will be imperfect. In that imperfection, we should aim for persistence.

U.S.

Botched Execution

A capital punishment went awry in Tennessee last week. Christa Pike, who was convicted of murder in 1995 and sentenced to death, was given two doses of a drug intended to be lethal but was transported to the hospital after losing consciousness but remaining alive. Pike was to be the first woman executed in Tennessee in more than 200 years, and Tennessee Governor Bill Lee suspended the one remaining execution scheduled for this year, pending a third-party review of the state’s procedure.

Analysis and eternal perspective: This is a deeply disturbing story spanning more than three decades. The victim in this case, Colleen Slemmer, was just 19-years-old when she was murdered, and this week’s events bring that memory roaring back to life for her family. Our community should be in fervent prayer for the Slemmer family.

Next, this story highlights a wide spectrum of sincerely held opinions about the death penalty among both policymakers and Jesus followers. For those of us looking to scripture as our ultimate authority, opponents of the death penalty will point to the truth that every person is made in the image of God (Gen. 1:26-27) and that God desires that none should perish (2 Pet. 3:9). Proponents will point to the Old Testament directive that a murderer should be put to death (Ex. 21:12) and the New Testament principle that rulers should bear the sword against evildoers (Rom. 13:3-4).

These are incredibly divisive questions, and deeply consequential ones. We should be engaging with them seriously, soberly, and with a desire to learn more for the purpose of securing sound public policy.

Even more critical, we should be inclining our hearts toward both the victimized (Ps. 34:18) and the lost (Lk. 19:10). We have a mandate to come to the defense of the oppressed and to be intolerant of injustice. In doing so, we must also be mindful of the radical forgiveness that was afforded us. There are long-lasting consequences to sin and evil, but by the grace of God, your sins and mine have been forgiven. Our primary earthly mission is to tell of that grace and mercy we have received, and to make known its availability to those still in need of it.

The Beautiful

The Proper Time

Every season brings unique beauty that lasts only for a time (like persimmons in the fall). It can be challenging to wait for those blessings and it can be tempting to cling to them as they fade. But God’s timing is perfect. He will see His work to completion and guide you into new beauty in His time. You can trust Him!

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Gal. 6:9).