Leaving your home, your people, and the assembly of the faithful leads to tragedy. You put those things behind you and you will eventually lose what you always sought to preserve: family; faith; food and shelter; friends; protection and security; and a trusting, believing and hopeful attitude.

Naomi learned all that and it left her bitter. But she had enough sense to return, accept her daughter-in-law’s devotion and look for an opportunity that would revive her hopes and sustain her in a temporal way. She would also seek to restore her family line.

God never did take these things away from her permanently. He kept them, like the prodigal’s father did, for the time when they would be understood, appreciated and capable of bearing fruit. It never would be time for Naomi to bear children of her own. Instead, God gave her someone who wasn’t even from the chosen people of the Promised Land, to carry out His promises.

We in America lost our way long ago. We didn’t have to leave the country to do that. We left in other ways and we brought in all the elements of the foreigners’ lives and beliefs that would darken our souls and put out the light we were meant to shine. Instead of striving to combat the evil with the property of salt that we were called to be, and the steadfastness and aptitude of a true warrior, we chose to slink into the shadows, hide behind a cowardly and complacent bravado, and take our place amongst the dumbed down masses.

What’s waking us up now? Truth. The cold hard facts. The realization of this: 1) we almost lost everything, and 2) we can yet retrieve the righteousness God calls us to uphold, individually and corporately.

Q draws us in because in this fight we, too, can be the warriors we are supposed to be. We can stand together to proclaim truth. We can hold each other accountable. We answer to people who are rightly in superior positions to us. We can extend gracious hands of faithful loving-kindness to bring glory to the Lord’s name and settle us in the home He always intended for us to return to.

Like ancient Philoctetes, I am content. Where we go one, we go all. Philippians 1:9-11