When peace becomes a performance rather than a shared reality, it stops being peace at all. Joy doesn’t argue for itself because it isn’t trying to win—only to live. And reclaiming pleasure isn’t rebellion against goodness; it’s often the recovery of what was surrendered under false demands. Restoration often looks like quietly taking back what fear and control tried to regulate.
All glory be to God. Jesus Christ has risen indeed Alleluia and Amen. God's peace be with you all. I get the best present for Christmas every year, I got Jesus Christ.😇
That’s helpful. Order and love operate in different registers, and neither can be coerced into the other without damage. When property is treated as love, it becomes control; when love is treated as property, it becomes theft. Keeping them distinct is how both remain intact. "Love people, not things," comes down to what you actually do to those you say you love.
This is such an insightful article. This year, more than any other year I can recall, I’ve heard countless sentiments from people that they are “dreading” the holidays and “just trying to get through it”. I won’t lie, I’ve felt it too. I don’t think the feeling is actually new or unique to this year. But what is different, is people’s willingness to express it. It’s almost like a cry for “help”.
As I reflect on Jonathan’s insights, I believe that what he is describing has a physical fallout as well. I think most of us are experiencing adrenal fatigue. We are in constant “fight or flight” mode. The devil of “what if” and “be aware” is everywhere. Even if you turn off the screens, the message is still in the air, streamed through invisible satellite and wi-fi waves. Can our brains pick up the signals? I can’t prove it but I think so.
From being a “student from afar” of Jonathan’s work for several years now, I’m convinced (based on his admonitions) that we must fight back and wage war against the soul sucking zeitgeist. 1) pray the Psalms out loud regularly. Use the prayers given by The Holy Spirit to physically resound in the air waves and to push back against the “prince power of the air”. When the Bible says something, believe it. Let the reader understand. 2) We need to reclaim Sabbath. It was given for man. If I don’t believe I need to rest or can’t rest…..well, I need to repent of that and believe God is for me and not against me. In Him I “live and move and have my being”.
Thank you so much Jonathan for this article. It provided a tremendous springboard for my own thoughts and reflections.
Thank you, David. You’ve named something real: the dread isn’t new, but the permission to admit it is—and that tells us how tired people are. A culture of fear keeps the body braced even when nothing immediate is happening. Praying the Psalms and reclaiming Sabbath as "made for man" re-anchors us in time, limits, and trust. I’m glad the piece served as a springboard. I was genuinely shaming myself over it being less than complete: same problem, inverted on the writer. When is "good enough" good enough?
For what it’s worth, in my opinion, some subjects/themes/topics CAN’T be completed. They can only be explored. And I think your article here is an excellent example of journeying through a complex topic while at the same time giving the reader space to self examine.
With that said, I don’t think it possible to definitively “solve for X” or finally discover “the theory of everything “ as it relates to the question of “why are we all so exhausted?”. There are existential realities that are driving this phenomenon, but how those realities impact individual lives and souls is highly nuanced and complex.
So give yourself a break and a pat on the back. You gave a ton of meat in this article but it’s up to the reader to digest.
So many good quotes.
"The hidden goal becomes not peace, but possession of the moral high ground."
"Joy needs no defense."
"Reclaiming pleasure without permission is not rebellion. It is restoration."
When peace becomes a performance rather than a shared reality, it stops being peace at all. Joy doesn’t argue for itself because it isn’t trying to win—only to live. And reclaiming pleasure isn’t rebellion against goodness; it’s often the recovery of what was surrendered under false demands. Restoration often looks like quietly taking back what fear and control tried to regulate.
All glory be to God. Jesus Christ has risen indeed Alleluia and Amen. God's peace be with you all. I get the best present for Christmas every year, I got Jesus Christ.😇
Private property belongs to God’s good earthly order.
Collective sharing belongs to the Christian life of love.
Confusing the two corrupts both
That’s helpful. Order and love operate in different registers, and neither can be coerced into the other without damage. When property is treated as love, it becomes control; when love is treated as property, it becomes theft. Keeping them distinct is how both remain intact. "Love people, not things," comes down to what you actually do to those you say you love.
Amen and Amen, thank you Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Amen and Amen.
This is such an insightful article. This year, more than any other year I can recall, I’ve heard countless sentiments from people that they are “dreading” the holidays and “just trying to get through it”. I won’t lie, I’ve felt it too. I don’t think the feeling is actually new or unique to this year. But what is different, is people’s willingness to express it. It’s almost like a cry for “help”.
As I reflect on Jonathan’s insights, I believe that what he is describing has a physical fallout as well. I think most of us are experiencing adrenal fatigue. We are in constant “fight or flight” mode. The devil of “what if” and “be aware” is everywhere. Even if you turn off the screens, the message is still in the air, streamed through invisible satellite and wi-fi waves. Can our brains pick up the signals? I can’t prove it but I think so.
From being a “student from afar” of Jonathan’s work for several years now, I’m convinced (based on his admonitions) that we must fight back and wage war against the soul sucking zeitgeist. 1) pray the Psalms out loud regularly. Use the prayers given by The Holy Spirit to physically resound in the air waves and to push back against the “prince power of the air”. When the Bible says something, believe it. Let the reader understand. 2) We need to reclaim Sabbath. It was given for man. If I don’t believe I need to rest or can’t rest…..well, I need to repent of that and believe God is for me and not against me. In Him I “live and move and have my being”.
Thank you so much Jonathan for this article. It provided a tremendous springboard for my own thoughts and reflections.
May The LORD (Jesus) be with you!
Thank you, David. You’ve named something real: the dread isn’t new, but the permission to admit it is—and that tells us how tired people are. A culture of fear keeps the body braced even when nothing immediate is happening. Praying the Psalms and reclaiming Sabbath as "made for man" re-anchors us in time, limits, and trust. I’m glad the piece served as a springboard. I was genuinely shaming myself over it being less than complete: same problem, inverted on the writer. When is "good enough" good enough?
For what it’s worth, in my opinion, some subjects/themes/topics CAN’T be completed. They can only be explored. And I think your article here is an excellent example of journeying through a complex topic while at the same time giving the reader space to self examine.
With that said, I don’t think it possible to definitively “solve for X” or finally discover “the theory of everything “ as it relates to the question of “why are we all so exhausted?”. There are existential realities that are driving this phenomenon, but how those realities impact individual lives and souls is highly nuanced and complex.
So give yourself a break and a pat on the back. You gave a ton of meat in this article but it’s up to the reader to digest.