Conquer the World

7/1/2021

A Reflection on the Second Reading for January 10th, 2021:
The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord

1 John
5.1-9

Beloved: Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the parent loves the child. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For the love of God is this, that we obey his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome, for whatever is born of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world, our faith. Who is it that conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

This is the one who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ, not with the water only but with the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one that testifies, for the Spirit is the truth. There are three that testify: the Spirit and the water and the blood, and these three agree.

If we receive human testimony, the testimony of God is greater; for this is the testimony of God that he has testified to his Son.

Pause. Pray.

And then read more...

I like how this reading speaks of being a conqueror: “[W]hatever is born of God conquers the world.” I desire this kind of power. Not power over others, really, but power over evil—the evils of the world. I want to be one of the conquerors of the evils of the world. A real-life Wonder Woman, if you will.

When I see evil in plain sight, I feel a stab of pain in my heart, which makes me want to stab back, if I’m honest. My response in this way, reveals the evil that is more difficult to perceive—the evil within me. It’s hard to admit to it, but it’s there. Though I earnestly desire goodness for myself and others, I also desire goodness at the expense of myself or others. What do I mean by this? Well, sometimes goodness looks like evil, and evil looks like goodness. It’s a very tricky thing, really. And it takes a great deal of discernment and personal insight to know which side of the coin is presenting itself at times. It takes the kind of personal insight that can only come from grace, born of belief.

If I perceive goodness as maintaining still waters on the surface at the expense of truth, am I conquering the world or serving it? I admit, I will sometimes say the words that I don’t believe in favour of not stirring the pot. In defence of my cowardice, I will tell myself that I was simply trying to maintain peace. What peace though, am I maintaining if I do not have peace within? The aspect of the world, of evil, that I am serving here, is fear. Having lived a history laced with fear, this is not the master I want to return to, but it is often the master I obey.

This form of obedience is not sustainable. We aren’t very likely to continue to obey those whom we do not trust. And I do not trust fear. Obeying out of fear, for a time, may prove effective. Obedience over the long term, though, comes with trust—and another word for trust is faith, or belief, or even, love.

Saying the difficult thing, then, requires love. A whole boatload of love. It requires the love and trust in God who can heal and restore all things. Do I believe in the agreement between the water, blood, and Spirit, or do I believe in the agreement I have made with my fear—the agreement I have made with fear to provide a sense of false peace? Do I believe that Jesus was born of God, by water and blood, and that His Spirit testifies to the truth? If I do—if I truly do, no fear shall overcome me. If I do, I will listen to His testimony, speak His truth, and conquer the world one heart at a time.

Let us Pray:
Lord Jesus Christ, son of the living God, teller of truth: drench me in the waters of Your baptism so that Truth may pour out from me.

Lori MacDonald

8 Comments

Laura

7/1/2021 10:45:46 am

Amen! Lori, thank you for the opportunity to do some of the messy work of self-reflection. It is an act of bravery to open up the proverbial 'dusty, neglected attic' in our hearts and face what's stored in there.

Fear is such a powerful master. I struggle with it everyday, and I'm coming to appreciate the power of faith in God's sovereignty in overcoming it to find true peace.

I used to think that the courage we're called to have as Christians was something along the lines of Joan of Arc charging into battle, but these past few months, I'm coming to appreciate that in a world that is constantly trying to 'erase' us through fear, it takes an insurmountable amount of courage to rest in the truth of the identity we were given by God.

Lori

7/1/2021 11:52:26 am

Yes, Laura! Faith in God's sovereignty! This is a place where we can rest securely. Praying now that your identity in God will surge forth, slaying all fear that stands in it's path.

Alana

7/1/2021 10:38:49 pm

Amen Lori! So good! “Saying the difficult thing, then, requires love. A whole boatload of love. It requires the love and trust in God who can heal and restore all things.” So true. It’s often hard to be authentic and honest with people, but often saying the hard thing is the most loving thing we can do. So that it can open our eyes and hearts to see what God’s will for us is and as you say - “heal and restore” us. I’m so grateful for the authentic friendships in my life, where we can be completely honest with each other and in doing so and help each other become more the people God is calling us to be, grow closer to Him, and help each other get to heaven! Lord, help others to love me enough to be honest with me and give me the grace to be open to receiving Your love and truth through them - even when the words are difficult to hear. Amen! 😊🙏🏻💕xo

7/1/2021 11:07:19 pm

My friend, there is a boatload of love and courage in that prayer! Amen!

Lisa Matheson

10/1/2021 12:27:10 pm

Ugh. This reflection is beautiful, vulnerable, and yet a huge piece of spiritual broccoli for me. I can relate SO much to this:
“If I perceive goodness as maintaining still waters on the surface at the expense of truth, am I conquering the world or serving it? I admit, I will sometimes say the words that I don’t believe in favour of not stirring the pot.”

I am always trying to maintain peace because I am scared of conflict. But I also claim to love the people I am trying to maintain peace with. Love and truth go hand in hand, and I have a lot of work to do in this area. Thank you for being so honest Lori. I really needed to hear this today.
Alana, beautiful, bold prayer! 🙏❤️

10/1/2021 03:12:30 pm

I couldn’t be happier to hear that God worked in you through these words, Lisa! Fr. Jacques Philippe says, “Every motion that comes forth from God brings both light to understand what God intends, and the strength to accomplish it: light that illuminates the mind and strength that gives power to the will.” If God intends for you to speak boldly His truth, He will impress it on your heart, and walk with you as His goal is accomplished.

Kim Taylor

13/1/2021 08:18:04 am

Praise the Lord! Today, in my solitude I fully understand this. After sharing it with friends on a faith walk, discussing it in Lifegroup and refusing to pass over it. Lori you speak and write so well, all of you do. I am slowly “getting” it and Ora has helped to open my eyes, heart and my brain. Lord please continue to give me the light to understand and courage to tell the truth 🙏. Amen

13/1/2021 09:16:27 am

Kim, I am so inspired by your perseverance! My heart is full with the image of God enlightening your mind and heart to His truth. Thank you for this gift and the gift of encouragement! I can’t wait to share your words with the team. Hope we’ll see you soon at the Gathering at the Well!

https://oraministry.weebly.com/gatw.html