Though she jested, he saw the desperate unhappiness in her eyes. “What light can shine from a closed house, beloved? God wants us in the world, not hiding from it.”
Her smile fell away, her own frustration revealed. “Atretes isn’t hiding. He’s standing in the center of an arena again, lashing out at any who oppose him. He lambastes brother, kinsmen, and friends alike.” She waved her hand toward the village. “When I left, he was in the midst of a yelling match with Varus about the peace of God and what it could mean to the Chatti. Peace, Theophilus. How will they ever understand when this is the way he tells them?”
“He will learn, Rizpah. He will learn. We need to be patient with him.”
“As he’s patient with them?”
“No, as God is patient with us. Contrary to what you’re thinking right now, Atretes shouldn’t be your first concern. Our first obligation is to the Lord.”
“I know, but . . .”
“You know, but are you acting according to what you know or what you feel?”
She sat down, feeling bereft. She had always been quick to speak and slow to listen. It was one of her failings, like Atretes’ quick, hot temper and long, seething memory.
Theophilus stood and turned the rabbit. “Look upon Atretes as a child in faith. He’s learning to walk by faith, the way Caleb learned to walk on his two legs. Remember how he stumbled and fell over and over at first. Sometimes he hurt himself. He was clumsy. He went where he shouldn’t go. And often he cried in frustration.” He straightened and nodded his head toward the sunny meadow. “Look at him now.” Caleb was toddling happily after a butterfly. “Every day, his feet are more sure.”
He smiled at her. “We’re the same way. We’re learning to walk with Christ. It’s a process, not a finished act. We make a decision for the Lord and are saved, but it doesn’t end there. We have to apply ourselves diligently to our own sanctification. What Scripture I know, I’ll give to you. You apply God’s Word in day-to-day practical living. The truth itself will witness to these people.”
“But look around you. There’s so much here that is contrary to what God tells us is right.”
“Our work isn’t to change the way these people live. It’s not to fight against a pagan idol any more than it’s for Atretes to try to beat into their heads a belief in Christ. Our work is to devote our own lives to pleasing God. It’s that simple. We’re to devote our efforts to learning to think as God thinks, to see ourselves and others through his eyes, to walk as he walked. That’s our life’s work.”
“You’re saying I shouldn’t correct Atretes?”
“Gently. In private. And only if he’ll listen.”
“I’ve tried. I have things straight in my head and then I open my mouth and it comes out wrong. Sometimes, even when I have it right, he takes it wrong.”
“I’ve talked with him, too. And I rest in this: The Holy Spirit will work within Atretes without our help, perhaps in spite of it.” Unless Atretes ever decided to silence the still, quiet voice that had called him in the first place. Theophilus prayed unceasingly that would never happen. “Atretes is faced with a greater battle now than he ever faced in an arena.”
Rizpah knew and wanted to weep. “He’s losing the battle,” she said bleakly. God, hasn’t he had to fight enough?
Theophilus watched her stand and catch up with Caleb. She took a rock out of his mouth and tossed it away. Wiping the dirt off his face with the hem of her shawl, she spoke to him gently, gave him a pat. She smiled as he headed for the mound of dirt Theophilus had piled up while digging out the grubenhaus, good rich dirt he would spread soon in order to prepare a field for planting.
She returned. It was a warm day, and yet she drew her shawl around her shoulders. “Atretes doesn’t listen to me anyway.”
“He listens. More important, he watches. For as long as I’ve known him, he’s had his eyes on you.”
She gave a short laugh. “Not because I was a Christian.”
His grin made her blush. “True, he watched you with less than honorable intentions in the beginning, but what he saw was a beautiful young woman practicing her faith. Your walk with the Lord has had an impact upon him. It’ll continue to have impact.”
“My walk has been less than perfect, Theophilus.” How many times had she said words she regretted?
“That’s why I’m reminding you. The sin we need to be concerned about is the sin in our own lives. It’s the root of all human woe, the source of anguish. Let God deal with Atretes.”