Verse I Like:

Weekly Dose

There is something to be said for striking a balance as it relates to political involvement. Yes, politics can be important to follow, and there is something to be said about our obligation to vote if you’re fortunate enough to live in a nation with a representative government.

But, politics has the proclivity to possess you in every sense of the word. It can convince you that your side, figure, or leader is infallible. If you do not pay attention, your ideology can make it seem as though its desires are your desires. This blurs the line between healthy engagement and ideological possession, where nuance and empathy often get lost.

Unchecked political zeal can close off critical thinking and dialogue. Instead of serving us, politics then starts to dominate us—shaping how we see everything and everyone. That’s why it’s essential to remain grounded, to recognize our political responsibilities without letting them overtake our sense of self or cloud our judgment.

In essence, politics is important, but it should never replace the underlying structure that it’s meant to serve. Staying engaged just enough to do our part, while preserving our autonomy and openness, seems to be the healthiest way forward.

Focus on and strive toward the divine.

Quotes I Like:

Mane Message

Pilate remains one of the most interesting characters in the New Testament, in my opinion. In the gospel accounts, he is the Roman Governor of Judea during the time of Jesus’s trial. In the narrative, the mob is a proponent of Christ’s death by crucifixion, and Pilate is portrayed as the judge in the hearing, who, to his credit, makes a serious effort and case to persuade the mob in another direction.

Following a local custom that allowed for the pardoning of a prisoner, Pilate offered the crowd to release either Jesus or Barrabas—a known killer. Barrabas was selected to be freed by the people. Pilate relied on the reason and forethought of the people to release Christ over such obvious depravity.

But Pilate gave the mob too much credit. A mob does not act as a collective of rational individuals. Its characteristics are closer akin to those of a false god. The mob can very much be compared to the Greek/Roman god Ares, or Mars, the god of war and rage. It seeks to cause the most amount of damage, beyond what an animal is capable of.

Pilate, a moral relativist, was unable to stand up to this entity because he had no real foundation. There was no underlying truth that he was rooted in. And to Pilate’s credit, if there is no objective truth within and/or outside of reality, then who are you to tell the mob that they are wrong? On what basis can you stand?

Popular opinion does not make something true, and is particularly dangerous when talking of morals. If we read the gospels with a spirit of sincerity, we should she ourselves in Pilate. But the beautiful thing is that we have the truth. It has been revealed to us—will you listen to it’s call?

Wisdom Seat

“In a time of deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” – George Orwell

The truth will set you free.

Next week, we will touch on the truth and how you can align yourself with it.

Weekly Ponder

Am I giving politics and politicians too much power in my life?

Am I participating in my civic duties and bearing the responsibilities which have been endowed to me?

Will I commit to the truth in the face of adversity?

Enjoying our Content?

Share it with someone who could use weekly inspiration/motivation.

Onward and Upward!