Breaking Camp

Num 4:3-14         10/17/2017

The procedure for Levites and Priests breaking down the tent of meeting for travel.

The cliffs of Newport. The signs clearly mark the danger and warn away the adventurous behavior. But you’re only a kid once – and you only live once – and you value cheap thrills and easy adventure. And so you cross the line.

No harm no foul.

It’s an hour later and there you are clinging with both hands to a well-rooted but all too lonesome weed, wondering if the plant will tear before you regain your footing. Praying now like you’ve never prayed before – that these rocks 100 feet below won’t receive your broken body on behalf of the coming tide.

God relents. You find a hold for your foot. You scramble up and over the fence. Thankless bravado – you survived.

Still you never disobey that sign again.

Action requires attention, understanding and a sense of value. When these things align on an object, our emotions powerfully drive us to appropriate action.  When they don’t, our emotions reflect the perceived value of a failed understanding muddled by diffracted attention.

God’s work in this world is about process.  The Israelites were given process.  Excellence in the little things is about commitment to process.  Temperance, prudence, justice and courage.  You are the salt of the earth.  Process.

The virtues are to empower you to love. But you cannot avoid being the first partaker of the preserving quality of your love.