August 25, 2014

Weary: lacking strength, energy or freshness because of a need for rest or sleep. Bored or annoyed by something because you have seen it, heard it, done it, etc., many times or for a long time.

Back in January, ISIS was compared by the White House to “the JV (junior varsity) team,” and it was assumed that “the JVs didn’t become Kobe Bryant by putting on Lakers jerseys.”

Since then, ISIS has acquired 35,000 square miles of territory, robbed banks, captured oil wells and refineries, murdered thousands of people, displaced more… and become wealthy (billions in cash; $2 million/day in oil sales) and formidable (15,000 fighters and fleets of stolen American and Russian military hardware); a virtual rogue nation, committed to the destruction of Israel AND America.

But, it’s summertime, and we’re on vacation. We’re not at the office; we have a date at the beach and a starting time at the course. We’re not in-session; it’s not a good time to deal with savage butchers who are beheading children and inviting Muslim miscreants from around the world to come join the varsity Jihaders in their march toward the prize of a Muslim Caliphate practicing rigid Sharia, with a “convert or die a brutal death” invitation to those they overrun.

Why is America on the sidelines of the battle for civilization? We’re said to be “war weary;” we have other things to do. The sophisticated mainstream populace is more likely to be spellbound watching Seth Meyers hosting the Emmys tonight on NBC than they are to be watching Charles Krauthammer explaining the threat of ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) on Fox. Never tired of Entertainment Tonight… but really “over it” regarding the War on Terror.

“Lead from Behind” is a strategy that presumes that crowdsourcing with Foreign Affairs is where the smart Washington money goes. The “Don’t do Stupid Stuff” doctrine precludes principled use of our military power to destroy powerful forces committed – and, funded and manned – to destroy us. If people on the beachfront in Venice (California) or Martha’s Vineyard (Massachusetts) wouldn’t applaud immediately, just avoid the threat and give ‘em what they want…

“War Weary” Americans are not the military professionals – and their families – who have been directly involved in America’s missions over the last decade; they are the watchers who are tired of seeing the coverage of the conflicts crowding out their other screen interests. “So wretched is man that he would weary even without any cause for weariness… and so frivolous is he that, though full of a thousand reasons for weariness, the least thing – such as playing billiards or hitting a ball – is sufficient enough to amuse him.” (Blaise Pascal, the French mathematician, physicist, inventor, writer and Christian philosopher who died 450 years ago.)

American Christians have the same risk regarding the continuing War against the Evil One. Long ago, he captured territory that he continues to hold today, holding people captive in darkness. Our leader – the King of Kings – leads from the front, and assaulted Satan at the Cross, delivering the kill shot that won the war at the Eternal level.

In real time, the King sent His troops (us) to complete the mission; we call His orders the Great Commission. “Go” was the directive; “make disciples” was the strategy. Defeat the forces of Evil with the benevolent power of the Good News.

Now, 2000 years later, many American Christians are “War Weary,” tired of the constant emphasis of the Mission. We’re at risk of being more concerned with our own issues than the fate of those whose domination by the Devil keeps them, forever, outside the Kingdom of God.

“And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” (Hebrews 12:1-3).

Bob Shank