God doesn’t need a defender.

He doesn’t need an advocate.

He has no need of legal representation. He doesn’t have a staff position for someone to argue His case.

There is no job description for Defender Of The Faith.

Or, more like the job description for Defender Of The Faith says, (In small but conspicuous purple print, since that’s certain to catch my eye…) Calberts Need Not Apply.

That’s totally fair. He knows me pretty well.

Defenders of the Faith, yelling through their bullhorns, condemning the masses by their sheer volume? I don’t think so – at least, not me. My righteousness gets an unhealthy dose of indignation, (Not all the meds in the world can help this bipolar boy in that situation…) and I become an object of facepalm.

Double facepalm.

Double massive facepalm, the likes of which would make social media implode with the weight of its meme.

Defender of the Faith? Maybe, for a very few, but from where I sit…

There are only people, aware of how deeply loved they are, using His word as a mirror to see their own flaws, then living that word and that love as life every day.

“For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:12 (NLT)

(I don’t see anywhere that the shield of faith is for clobbering people over the head with. Members of the unseen realms? Yup – smack away. Flesh and blood humanbeans? Not so much.

So watch how you flail that sword around, Calbert.)

God IS my defender.

He IS my advocate.

He IS my only hope.

(And He IS quite capable of arguing His own case – just ask Job.)

I’m a warrior, insofar as there are forces beyond this world that want to bring me down. But Defender Of The Faith?

No.

I’m a broken person, aware of how deeply loved I am, using His a word as a mirror to see my own flaws, then trying to live out His word and His love as life every day.

What would happen if we all did that – if we seek justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God? How would that change the world? (No idea – but there’s a pretty good picture of it in the book of Acts.)

Defender Of The Faith? No.

Recipient of Grace? Lover of God? Broken Creature in Need of Redemption? That’s me.

“But he’s already made it plain how to live, what to do, what GOD is looking for in men and women. It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love,

And don’t take yourself too seriously — take God seriously.”
– Micah 6:8 (The Message)

Chill, Calbert. Put away the bullhorn, disable your Caps Lock, and flush your indignant attitude down the biffy.

He’s got this.