The True

The Declarer

This week is the 75^th National Day of Prayer, and as communities across America gather to commemorate and pray, we will be doing so under the overarching theme of 1 Chronicles 16:24: “Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.”

Did you notice the passage’s nod to one of our core themes and goals? I’ll bet you did because this is becoming an ingrained habit for us!

The goal is always God’s glory! All that God has made—including you and me—is for the express purpose of bringing Him glory! Our God has done mighty things, and He wants it to be known among the nations! He is a jealous God, and while He desires that none would perish (2 Pet. 3:9), His righteousness demands His glory be the ultimate end!

It is all about Him, it is all for Him, and it is all due Him.

But here is where it gets truly amazing. You serve a God who, while emphatically asserting it is all about Him, has chosen to assign you a critical role in His ultimate plan. While He could have achieved His aim simply by divine fiat, He chose to entangle His glory with you. He chose to stoop low in order to give you a starring role. He chose to be with you!

You are not simply an uninvolved bystander or a passive observer to this cosmic act. You have an assignment—an irreplaceable and invaluable mission! Did you see it? Did you notice?

You, my friend, are the Declarer! While it is God’s glory that is to be spread to the nations, and while it is His marvelous deeds that will be told to all people, it is you who will tell of them! It is from your lips that these magnificent Truths are to be made known! It is by way of your declarations that God’s perfect and holy mission and mandate will be realized!

I can never consider this reality without asking, “Why?” Why did God do it this way? Why did He risk everything to call us into this role? Why?

My friend, the full thread of scripture is repeatedly clear: God did it this way not because He had to, but because He wanted relationship with you. Ezekiel 37:27 says, “My dwelling place will be with them; I will be their God, and they will be my people.”

The glory belongs to God. But you are God’s dwelling place. And my friend, you are the Declarer! You are the transport and the mobility for the Good News and the mighty deeds of your God! You are the way in which the world is to come into contact with Him. He did it this way because He desire relationship with you, but the stakes are high. Those who do not yet know Him need you. Step into your role and declare His Truth today!

U.S.

Redistricting Wars

It may soon be easier to list which states are not in a redistricting debate rather than those that are after a new avenue for re-drawing congressional district maps opened this week. The new branch in this debate stems from a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that immediately enforces a narrower application of the Voting Rights Act and allows Louisiana to redraw its congressional map ahead of the midterm elections. The ruling opens the way for several additional states to attempt to redraw their maps based on the new criteria for the Act.

There was already a long list of states engaged in redistricting efforts as Democrats and Republicans each seek a political edge in the race for control of the U.S. House of Representatives. This ruling will likely expand that list significantly.

Analysis and eternal perspective: Just six months from the midterm elections, it appears congressional maps are moving further from being finalized rather than closer. As we’ve previously discussed, it is typical for states to redistrict once a decade after each census, but the current wave is growing as both parties seek every partisan edge possible. Unless there is a more comprehensive change in the law, this is likely to set new precedent, and voters should expect a never-ending stream of redistricting wars.

As a voter, congressional maps impact you by dictating where you vote, the candidates on your ballot, and ultimately how you are represented in the federal government.

However, as a Jesus follower, the location of a temporary political line drawn by men has no impact on your mission field. Jesus bade you go into all the world to draw others to His side. There is no congressional line, state line, or national border that supersedes your mission!

One word of caution as you observe ongoing coverage and commentary of these redistricting wars. There is a very legitimate debate about what is and is not permitted under both federal and state law, but an overwhelming amount of the coverage really boils down to a red state vs. blue state conversation. When you see that type of analysis, where every state on one side of the partisan divide is defended while every state on the other side is castigated, be extremely wary. States have wide—but not complete—latitude to redistrict, even for partisan reasons. Coverage that defends one party and attacks the other is not analysis at all, but advocacy, and you should proceed accordingly.

U.S.

Mail Order Abortion

Mail order abortions are at the center of a legal spat once again this week after two notable court decisions. First, on Friday, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals sided with Louisiana and restricted the dispensing of Mifepristone—the first of a two-part drug regime used for at-home abortions—to patients seen in-person. On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court paused enforcement of that ruling until it could further consider whether to take up the case. This most recent order temporarily restores mail order access to the abortion drug, but the Court is expected to weigh in further after a May 11 deadline.

Analysis and eternal perspective: Abortion debates often run white-hot, and it is easy to understand why, as they center on fundamental moral issues of right and wrong. As we in The Equipped family endeavor to be devoted to Truth at all costs but to do so in a way that draws others into relationship with the Almighty, it will be important to interact with this story in a way that aims for flourishing rather than vanquishing.

Life is a gift from God (Ps. 36:9). Furthermore, the Giver of Life went to great lengths to form you intentionally and specifically in your mother’s womb (Jer. 1:5; Ps. 139:13-18). While there is plenty about this miracle that remains outside our understanding, what we know about in-utero life is simply stunning. Consider this: When a mother reaches the midpoint of her pregnancy with a female baby, she is also carrying the promise of her future grandchildren because the baby already carries a lifetime supply of eggs! There is no other word for that than miraculous!

The beauty of this miracle can quickly fade when we turn our attention to legal battles over legislation or litigation. These are merited debates, because a society’s laws should reflect Truth. Even so, it is easy for us as Jesus followers to be wholly consumed by those debates to the point we are distracted from serving those most implicated.

As you acknowledge the gift of life, and as you pray that the legal environment would reflect the value of that gift, consider also how you might serve the widow and the orphan (Jam. 1:27). There are opportunities to do so all around you, but if you want to go big, I invite you to consider the work Brooke and I are privileged to lead at A Fearless Life.

Life is a gift from the Giver of Life. You get the privilege of running to those in need.

World

Strait Clashes

The struggle for control of the Strait of Hormuz continued this week, as the U.S. military announced it had fired on and destroyed six small Iranian vessels in an attempt to secure safe passage for shipping vessels through the Strait. Control of the Straight remains as one of the primary disputes as the U.S. and Iran negotiate to end the current conflict between the countries. Iran continues to insist it will only allow approved shipping vessels to traverse the Strait. The U.S., under the banner Project Freedom, has been moving to ensure open passage of the channel. However, U.S. President Donald Trump paused Project Freedom late on Tuesday, citing progress in the ongoing negotiations. Along with control of the Strait, Iran’s nuclear program is also a sticking point in negotiations to end the conflict.

Analysis and eternal perspective: War is ugly. The most obvious impact is on life and limb, but as this story underscores, it also makes its mark on the economy and the everyday life of people all around the world. Because of the global nature of today’s market, especially when it comes to oil and energy, the impact of the disruption in the Strait of Hormuz is as close as your nearest gas station.

Of course, high gas prices are a pittance of a concern when compared to the impact on those in harm’s way. Let’s together continue praying for and seeking peace (Ps. 34:14), and let’s also be mindful and watchful to notice and care for those in our communities who are most negatively impacted by rising costs (Pr. 14:21).

“It is a sin to despise one’s neighbor, but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy” (Pr. 14:21).

The Beautiful

Close Up

Common things in your world reveal previously unnoticed beauty when you zoom in for a close-up! The same is true in your life. God is using the seemingly-mundane to produce beauty and a growing likeness of Him!

So zoom in. Look closer. There is beauty you have yet to notice!

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day” (2 Cor. 4:16).