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From 31 July to 2 August, I had the great opportunity to go to the third annual ‘The Recharge’, co-founded by Jordan Abou-Zeid and Zachariah Maxwell. It is a unique conference-camp focused on empowering young people to political action, and inspiring connection and community.

There was a fantastic contingent of young adults from across the country, that headed to Lennox Head, all in search of how they can be faithful to God in an increasingly downfallen world. Not merely diagnosing and complaining about problems, but arriving at actual solutions. Connecting with like-minded young people they wouldn’t have met anywhere else, if not for this conference, who then build connections that are used in real-life opportunities. 

Wisdom, Effectiveness and Hope

The speaker line-up was like no other, consisting of academics and young people alike all speaking with wisdom, clarity, boldness, and hope. The Hon John Anderson AC, Dr Stephen Chavura, Dr Simon and Hayley Kennedy, Rev Dr Dan Anderson, Samuel Pinomi, Barclay McGain, Lola Popoola, Tim Caughey, Jordan Abou-Zeid, and Zachariah Maxwell all offered their time not only to speak, but to engage one-on-one with participants throughout the conference, offering wisdom and practical advice. There was certainly a lot of capital being invested in us, and it hasn’t gone unnoticed. 

“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen,
since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
— 2 Corinthians 4:18

Wisdom, effectiveness, and hope were three key themes that seemed to pop up constantly throughout the three days. The degradation of society was well diagnosed, but well responded to, with our hope put in things above, and not on earthly things. We were reminded of how crucial it is to seek God’s wisdom as a daily recurrence, so we are able to combat sin and temptation, and be people who live with wisdom.

We were also reminded that individualism is a myth. We were created to live in community with others, and we do it whether we like it or whether we do it well or not. We were reminded of the great joy of dating, and getting married, and having kids, and were challenged with the words, “Just do it!” We were pointed to various organisations to get involved with, as well as the importance of joining a political party, which is crucial to our values getting a say in the public square. 

Building Community and Taking Action

And we were reminded of the reality of the non-spiritual component of the enemy we deal with: a Leviathan. This leviathan that we face is well-funded, organised, and strategic. They don’t hold back, they don’t shrivel away, they don’t quiet down. Every loss they have, they come back bigger and stronger. They don’t play by the rules, they use rules to their advantage, and they take every avenue available. 

Not to despair, but rather to state the current reality: we are unorganised, unstrategic, and not unified. We quibble over spoiled crumbs, and fight over minor details. We don’t prepare, nor plan ahead.

Our response to where those who oppose us are and we currently stand must be swift and targeted. We either need to build our own leviathan or infiltrate the current one whose infrastructure is well built already. But either way we need to level up, be more involved, use our time wisely. Inspire others, bring them up with us, build each other up. Remember both the long game and the short one. Build connections and work together as much as possible. 

There is no doubt we feel the weight of the responsibility that is laid on our soldiers. The civilisational moment we face, that other civilisations have had to come to grips with: reform, change, or collapse.

There is no greater time to be alive than now. Whilst everything is going against us, whilst all economic and social conditions oppose us, whilst all may seem lost… there is change in the wind.

And even if there weren’t societal trends that seem to be shifting in our favour, we have the Lord of hosts, the God Who makes a way where there is no way. Who empowers His people to do greatness for His glory. 

As Zachariah Maxwell summarised Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities, “It’s so over, but also, we’re so back!”

“Now this I know: The Lord gives victory to His anointed.
He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary with the victorious power of His right hand.
Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm.” — Psalms 20:6-8

If you liked this article, you might like this podcast episode with Rod Lampard, where we discussed the Secular vs Sacred divide:

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Republished with thanks to the YCFC Truth Prevails Substack. Image courtesy of Adobe.