politics

Call me burned out, but I just can't get all that excited in the political process here in the United States in election year, this time around. I am wary and weary of the culture war and diatribe dished out on talk radio, which I don't listen to, and its impact on people, including us Christians. The lack of civility in all of this, is not helpful for clear thinking and needed dialogue to try to understand others and be open to constructive critique. And the confidence placed in a candidate, any of them, can be near idolatry or just overblown.

Do I think there are important policies that we as Christians here in America should be concerned about? Yes. A number of them. I find that most all of us Christians have basically the same set of moral values, but we don't always agree on how they should be achieved. We see life from different perspectives and we need to hear each other out, instead of thinking the other is lax or wrong in this or that.

Do I think politics has its place? Even as one with Anabaptist leanings, I certainly strongly believe this to be the case. And we can't compare America directly with the Roman Empire of Paul's and Jesus' day. There are similarities: Paul most certainly used his Roman citizenship, and there are differences: we have some say on what happens in the local, state and national political scene.

Am I pulling for a particular candidate? Yes. But mildly, and wanting to remain open to hear them all out. Though I must confess I've not been listening well lately.

As those who profess allegiance to Jesus as the King of kings and Lord of lords, let's be careful not to think that anyone here is the answer. They all have feet of clay, and any of them will and do fail along the way. We need to voice our values and concerns, participate in the process, pray for those elected, and above all, know that God alone is the only sovereign. Our hope, confidence and allegiance is supremely and finally to him.

What might you like to add here?