Sweaty Truth

"The perversion of democratic society into a sea of anonymous beings, social droplets, deprived of true family, true freedom, and true purpose, although terribly possible, is not yet inevitable. Against this, intelligent men should struggle like fanatics; the Benthamite (ie. materialist/utilitarian) dream of social organization, in which the lonely, friendless, selfish, and hopeless individual confronts the leviathan state, in which all ancient affections and groupings have been eradicated and materialism has been substituted for traditional duties- this may be averted by the force of ideas, or so we should hope." - Russell Kirk

What does it look like when men struggle like fanatics wielding the force of ideas in hopes of averting disaster? I think Flannery O'Connor depicted it aptly when she said," You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you odd." Truth is not abstract. Paul warned against those who are "always learning and never coming to a knowledge of the truth." Coming to a knowledge of the truth is the nasty, painful, sweaty part. Abstract truth is easy, it gives a self important high, it is fascinating to contemplate. However, it is the daily, personal, concrete struggling, and wielding of Truth which alone gives hope and light in the midst of a seemingly futile, purposeless world.

Ideas only have consequences when they are embedded deep in the rich, brown, dirty soil of earth. God's word says, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.", and,"Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. "

So today I pray for strength to keep plowing when I want to look back, grace to sow to the Spirit and not to my flesh, and the faith not to mind when the truth makes me odder than my pride wants to be. Help me Lord to struggle like a fanatic against the Lie.