Whatever: a call to war

These words are a call to war:

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (Phil 4:8)

Those words never sounded like a battle cry to me until I had kids. 

They sound like words for the beach: breath deeply, think lovely thoughts, relax. In
hale blessings, exhale gratitude. Repeat.

Now I see these words as a call to violence. 

Are we not at war? Here, in the trenches, living in the wreckage of this world with fellow sinners, are we not engaged in a relentless battle against the darkness?

Darkness covers us all like smog, suffocates like a mask, tears at us inside like a disease, ravages our loved ones, our families, our nation. 

The battle is personal and close: it is in our very thoughts. 

On what will we mediate? 

Will we let our minds follow their natural bent, and ruminate on the darkness?

Or will we receive the armor that is given

the Word like a sword and a shield

the Spirit’s power like muscles we don’t have

strong enough FIGHT, gloves off;

to punch Despair in his stupid face

and give Depression a wedgie

and gather all our Enemies

into timeout, for eternity.

While we simply hold fast

Stand firm

and SEE.

Whatever. is. true.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (Eph 6:10-17)

Take heart, friends.

God will finish this thing.