There are a plethora of topics to discuss here, and I pray you'll forgive me if the apparent themes from the last post are not explicitly continued in the next: my mind (like my life) doesn't always run in a thematic straight line. Honestly, I find it way cooler when I come across some insight and realize how it applied five years ago, so this will (hopefully) work out.
This being election day, I can't help but consider, once again (probably too many times in my friends' opinions), the role of Christians in their government. Especially in the midst of a rather bleak political outlook.
Not that I mean to be particularly depressing, but elections have always had that effect on me, for many, many, many reasons. Between the largely sensationalist news stories and political ads ("This guy's daughter is a prostitute! He must be a terrible person!") and the incredibly selfish position Americans seem to always take ("Will he lower my taxes? Will she give me better healthcare?"), there's not a lot of joy for me in this time of year. About the only thing I can think about is how Christ told us to love our enemies, to be as wise as serpents and innocent as doves, and to treat our neighbors as ourselves. Which would look crazy politically, right?
As a kid, it was always hard to imagine Jesus as "radical" (mostly because, well, I didn't know him well). In fact, the only way I did know him was through the people teaching me about him, my parents, sunday school teachers etc. Absolutely no offense towards those people (their love of the Lord has influenced me more than I probably understand), but they didn't always get the whole "radical" idea across to me. To a little kid (or anyone who hasn't, in my opinion, really gotten to know Christ in scriptures), it's hard to imagine Christ as radical; especially when the entire "conservative" group of people in America keep going on about him. These are the people who want things to stay the same, the way things were: how radical is that?
But when I delve into it, I find a Jesus who actually doesn't seem to agree with liberals or conservatives. I find a Jesus who very clearly stated that He was God, that everyones' life was of utmost value and importance, that we shouldn't be hating people who don't love God or don't follow in His ways but loving them instead...I'm pretty sure if Jesus came here today everyone would have a bone to pick with him (what an amazing conversation that would be..."The only way to God? Don't you mean, one of the only ways?", and "But Jesus, I worked for my money: they're supposed to as well, right? Why would I give my possessions to them when they can build their own life, just like mine?").
Jesus really was (is) radical.
...what were we talking about again?
Oh right, the elections. I'm not going to be voting (my opinion is grossly under-informed due to my complete ignorance that elections are today), but if you do, I encourage you firstly to remember that politicians are human beings. Barack Obama is not the messiah, nor is he the antichrist. He is a fallen human being, just like you and me. If he's found God, great! If he hasn't, all the more reason to be loving. Can you disagree with him, or others? Sure. But lovingly, as innocent as a dove (here's lookin' at you, sign-holders).
Secondly, remember that no politician really has everything figured out. Voting for conservatives is not going to bring America back to her "moral fibers" (...we'll talk later about the veracity of that phrase), and voting for liberals is not going to eradicate homelessness, poverty and destruction of liberty.
The most you can do is vote being God's hands as they influence America. That you can definitely do, because God certainly has people he wants to raise up as leaders. Just don't try to find his will with pre-conceived notions (who knows, God may want you to vote for that crazy liberal after all!).
...on that note, bed-time. Sorry if this is a very disjointed post, I really do want to meet my every two-day commitment and I had to finish this pretty quickly. Until Thursday...
(p.s. many of these ideas unashamedly ripped off of Vance Reins (sp?), the phenomenally great Pastor at FSU's Wesley Foundation; go listen to him sometime)
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