I think you’re right that theres *something* to the longing. Off the cuff, I can think of a few explanations for the call to the crown.
But first, we have to acknowledge the call to the crown because it is something we all share in common, in our nature. We wouldnt need the Peasant Life if God didnt give us a call to something greater. Why do we need to intentionally suppress ourselves at all?
The first explanation is that God gives us ambition so we wont be complacent. All ambition is a desire to work for something bigger than ourselves. The peasant life redirects that ambition to things we can control, while others (Joan of Arc, for example) have that ambition directed by God to rectify errors of Statecraft. The key is less WHAT is focused on as much as surrendering the direction of that focus to God. A King can be a peasant if he works statecraft with a peasantly humility and prays ardently for guidance on matters bigger than state.
The second possible explanation is cultural. Did Joan of Arc feel a call to something greater prior to Gods inspiring it in her? Would a Medieval peasant know or understand that there are things beyond the peasant life? Our culture is classically liberal and so predisposed to make us believe we deserve authority we do not have. It takes an active effort to be countercultural in a way that ignores the call of the crown.
The final explanation is demonic: the evil one is always tempting us to desire power and it is very easy to suppose that this temptation is normal because it is frequent. If this is the case we need to be on guard and make sure we are listening to what God is calling us to.
Its possible some combination of these three explanations is always at play in everyone, but i think the first step is being aware that we are in fact tempted to power in lots of little ways. As Hambone so eloquently put it: dont sweat the crown until youre on the throne!
Thanks for the warm welcome! I’ll overlap a bit with Scoots reply and then meander a bit off on my own. So, much like stoicism, I think we’re proposing coming to terms with your present reality and living up to the responsibilities of that station. Stoicism appealed to slave and emperor alike. Romantic longing or dreaming isn’t unhealthy per se, I think it’s entirely dependent on how these notions burden you.
For many (myself included) “participation” in the political/current events circus is a source of stress with severely limited levers of control. I won’t discourage voting, but the juice ought to be worth the squeeze. If it consumes your thoughts and prevents you from dutifully fulfilling your present role than it needs to be diminished, if not wholly removed.
My first job out college, using my degree, was that of a local TV news producer in Savannah, Ga. It was incredible and I wouldn't take it back, for I learned many important lessons along the way and made real friendships.
But after a while I realized that I was physically being weighed down by the world’s problems as a result of the demands of that job. Daily shootings, gruesome child abuse cases, hurricanes and of course Covid all made their way into my mind and I had a constant notion that I had to do something about ALL of it.
Of course, none of this was true and by God's grace he brought to my attention my obsession over these things and reminded me, over time, that I need only tend what was given to me. Why would I stress about overcoming the world when Christ has already done so?
Praise be to God.
Glad to be doing more digging into the Dispatch. Good work, gents.
I think you’re right that theres *something* to the longing. Off the cuff, I can think of a few explanations for the call to the crown.
But first, we have to acknowledge the call to the crown because it is something we all share in common, in our nature. We wouldnt need the Peasant Life if God didnt give us a call to something greater. Why do we need to intentionally suppress ourselves at all?
The first explanation is that God gives us ambition so we wont be complacent. All ambition is a desire to work for something bigger than ourselves. The peasant life redirects that ambition to things we can control, while others (Joan of Arc, for example) have that ambition directed by God to rectify errors of Statecraft. The key is less WHAT is focused on as much as surrendering the direction of that focus to God. A King can be a peasant if he works statecraft with a peasantly humility and prays ardently for guidance on matters bigger than state.
The second possible explanation is cultural. Did Joan of Arc feel a call to something greater prior to Gods inspiring it in her? Would a Medieval peasant know or understand that there are things beyond the peasant life? Our culture is classically liberal and so predisposed to make us believe we deserve authority we do not have. It takes an active effort to be countercultural in a way that ignores the call of the crown.
The final explanation is demonic: the evil one is always tempting us to desire power and it is very easy to suppose that this temptation is normal because it is frequent. If this is the case we need to be on guard and make sure we are listening to what God is calling us to.
Its possible some combination of these three explanations is always at play in everyone, but i think the first step is being aware that we are in fact tempted to power in lots of little ways. As Hambone so eloquently put it: dont sweat the crown until youre on the throne!
Thats my take on it, at least!
Thanks for the warm welcome! I’ll overlap a bit with Scoots reply and then meander a bit off on my own. So, much like stoicism, I think we’re proposing coming to terms with your present reality and living up to the responsibilities of that station. Stoicism appealed to slave and emperor alike. Romantic longing or dreaming isn’t unhealthy per se, I think it’s entirely dependent on how these notions burden you.
For many (myself included) “participation” in the political/current events circus is a source of stress with severely limited levers of control. I won’t discourage voting, but the juice ought to be worth the squeeze. If it consumes your thoughts and prevents you from dutifully fulfilling your present role than it needs to be diminished, if not wholly removed.
My first job out college, using my degree, was that of a local TV news producer in Savannah, Ga. It was incredible and I wouldn't take it back, for I learned many important lessons along the way and made real friendships.
But after a while I realized that I was physically being weighed down by the world’s problems as a result of the demands of that job. Daily shootings, gruesome child abuse cases, hurricanes and of course Covid all made their way into my mind and I had a constant notion that I had to do something about ALL of it.
Of course, none of this was true and by God's grace he brought to my attention my obsession over these things and reminded me, over time, that I need only tend what was given to me. Why would I stress about overcoming the world when Christ has already done so?
Praise be to God.
Glad to be doing more digging into the Dispatch. Good work, gents.
Excellent case study and example. God bless you Derek! Thank you for this!