There just might be a centralized Way, Truth, and Life after all. But the path to it is Decentralized.
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“…he has sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor, to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and release to the prisoners, to announce a year of favor from the Lord and a day of vindication by our God”
—Isaiah 61:1-2a, 10-11Low interest rates? Debt forgiveness? Free money? A pardon for your crimes? A license to be whatever and do whatever with no consequences whatsoever? If you hear these words from a politician or central banker, there’s probably an agenda that has everything to do with him, and nothing to do with Him, and certainly nothing…
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“John was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. He fed on locusts and wild honey. And this is what he proclaimed: ‘One mightier than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals.’”
—Mark 1:1-8The difference between John the Baptist and your average hipster-egoist with unconventional taste in food & fashion? The latter would never admit they’re not worthy, or that anyone might be mightier than they.
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“Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way. A voice of one crying out in the desert: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.’”
—Mark 1:1-8Ever feel like the lone voice of reason and purpose among your circle of friends? Imagine how Jesus felt. But he knew what He was working toward, and he knew His time would come. Do you? Keep building and spreading the word – as long as you’re doing it for the right reasons. Hint: any…
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“But the day of the Lord will come like a thief…and the earth and everything done on it will be found out.”
“But according to his promise we await new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, since you await these things, be eager to be found without spot or blemish before him, at peace”
—Second Letter of Saint Peter 3:8-14It’s almost like Imposter Syndrome. Except… are you worried about being “found out” for the right or wrong reasons?
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“Make straight in the wasteland a highway for our God!”
“Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”
—Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11When centralized institutions become wastelands, a new decentralized infrastructure might be just what is needed to provide better, faster, fairer access to Him… …like the interstate highway system of 1950s America, democratizing mobility and access for the masses to find Him on their own terms?
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“Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her service is at an end, her guilt is expiated; indeed, she has received from the hand of the Lord double for all her sins.”
—Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11Are our traditional centralized institutions and nation-states (and all of their wars, grifts, and other questionable behaviors) nearing the end of their useful service? What would He do about it? Instead of violent revolution, how about a peaceful pardon and transition to a better system that enables everyone to get closer to Him once again?
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Why do you let us wander, O LORD, from your ways, and harden our hearts so that we fear you not?
—Isaiah 63:16B-17, 19B; 64:2-7As they say, the first step in fixing a problem is admitting you have one… Smart enough to realize you’ve been wandering? Self-aware that you’ve become too complacent? Too cynical, careless, proud, and jaded? That’s step one. The beauty of a truly free, decentralized society? There’s no one keeping you from pursuing step two (no…
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“Resplendent and unfading is wisdom, and she is readily perceived by those who love her, and found by those who seek her.”
—Wisdom 6:12-16Call her a she, they, or whatever you may… The best part is, you don’t need a “central authority” to show you the Way. All you have to do is pay attention on this, that, or any other day.
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“The foolish ones, when taking their lamps, brought no oil with them, but the wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps.”
“The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’”
—Matthew 25:1-13Some people are always expecting a bailout. Money can be printed. Faith can’t.
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“But the wise ones replied, ‘No, for there may not be enough for us and you. Go instead to the merchants and buy some for yourselves.’”
“While they went off to buy it…those who were ready went into the wedding feast.”
“Then the door was locked.”
—Matthew 25:1-13Sounds a little harsh and un-Jesus-like at first glance, huh? But accountability matters at some point. Even to Him.
Have a perspective to share?