Train Your Tribe
Everything has gone to Hell in a handbasket. The tribe, the temple, and the nation are in ruins. But here we still are. We have not heard the trumpet sound or had the roll called up yonder just yet. So, what now? Well, they are all crazy out there. Might as well find a nice cave to hide out in with a wine fridge and enjoy the end of the world?
Nay, nay! We saw how that went. We are tougher stuff than that. We have work to do. Jesus left a list of chores for us while He is away.
“But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. 37For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 38For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, 39and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 40Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. 41Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. 42Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. 43But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. 44Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
45“Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? 46Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. (Matthew 24:36–45)
- Wake up.
- Wait expectantly.
- Watch vigilantly.
- Work faithfully.
How now shall we live when we seem to be prisoners of sin, rebellion, conflict, chaos, and lack?
We live like people who are not without hope. We live like true children of The Most High God—The Creator, Giver, Ruler, Father, and Judge of all. We live like people of peace, confidence, and courage.
We live like people whose victory has already been secured. We live like people who know what the Bible says. We live like every single word is true. And we live lives marked by obedience.
Rest in the Spirit and work with your hands. Get grounded in good theology, then get busy.
Do you have an answer for your joy? Your hope? Suffering? How much of your faith can you articulate? How much of your faith can you comfortably share? Who are you sharing your faith with? We’ve seen what happens when the Levites go wandering. Let’s lock down the house and hearth first. You are the priest of your parish. Be faithful there. Make disciples there. You’ve got no business going into “the nations” if you disregard those nearest and dearest.
Train your tribe.
- Pray. Ask the Lord to help you see yourself rightly. We have enough disciples made in the image of someone other than Christ. Get your heart, head, and spiritual house in order first.
- Pray some more. Ask the Lord to help you see your family Ask God to show you where your kids are at spiritually. Ask Him to draw your eye to the areas where you see Him working, where you see evidence of Him and His giftings in them. And draw their attention to those things. Become a produce inspector. Look for the good fruit your family is bearing and celebrate it.
- Keep praying. Ask the Lord to show you things that are not yet understood, things learned incorrectly, and habits that need to be holy.
- Make a plan. Goals and objectives aren’t just for school and work. It may sound silly, but how’s having no plan, purpose, or goals for intentional discipleship in our family been working for us? What do your kids need to know that they don’t? How are you going to teach it?
- Make no peace. There is enmity between us and sin, enmity between us and the enemy. Now act like it. It will feel awkward in our inclusive and tolerant culture. But Scripture is clear. Make no room for sin. Quit excusing and allowing it—in yourself and in your tribe.
- Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition. That’s your job, bolder soldier. Encourage. Equip. Hold the Line. Engage. You have the Word of God, the Power of God, the Presence of God, the Hope of Christ, and the Holy Spirit. How could you possibly be outgunned? It’s impossible! Act like you have the full arsenal that you have. If you are unsure what weapons are at your disposal, you might wanna spend a day in the armory making a list.