day no. 16,723: our production and our passing

"If the Queen had stood for any novel or fantastic imperial claims, the whole would have seemed a nightmare; the whole was successful because she stood, and no one could deny that she stood, for the humblest, the shortest and the most indestructible of human gospels, that when all troubles and troublemongers have had their say, our work can be done till sunset, our life can be lived till death." — G.K. Chesterton, Varied Types

Man was born from trouble as the sparks fly upward (Job 5:7), but some see this as a license to make more trouble than necessary. Troubles we will have, troublemongers we must have none of. Christian government is limited. This limits the amount of trouble it can cause. Because we have troubles, we must have government, but because all have sinned, we must be on guard against governors. It turns out that many of their attempts to address our troubles actually creates more trouble than it addresses. This is why we are to pray for our governors to mind their own beeswax and mind ours a lot less.

1 Timothy 2:1-3

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour.

We pray for peace and quiet which begins with a government that doesn't disturb the peace. Kings provide peace for their people most often by simply leaving their people alone. When the government serves as God's deacon of wrath, it shouldn't show up much unless called upon. The kind of State we are called to pray for is one that isn't constantly tripped over or bumped into.

When we have this, we are able to work until we go to bed and live until we go home. Every man should be left to do his own work and his own dying without much interference or involvement from his government. Our production and our passing should be ours.

God, make it so and give us governors with self-control so that we might be free to control our days and our destinies in peace and quiet before Christ, the King. Amen.