What If…

For Those Who Are Scared To Death And Trying To Convince Me To Be Too

// August 7th, 2008 // Current Affairs

Okay, (Deep Breath).  I do my best to be middle of the road, non-political, open minded, independent…whatever you would like to call it, but I'm tired, America…

Labels and the fights that they bring really frustrate me and politics/elections seem to bring out the worst in us when it comes to this, even among Christians.  It is only August and I find myself frustrated with weeks to go before the presidential election – an abundance of silly emails and ridiculous videos are to blame.  Let me explain.

I am a Christian and part of a church and the church.  I believe that the church is called to be part of a kingdom that transcends any earthly kingdom/nation.  Like it or not for a time Satan is the ruler of the kingdoms this world (Luke 4).  One day Jesus will be (Revelation 11) but for now Satan has sway over the kingdoms of planet earth.  I know this is unsettling for some but this is reality, BUT as Christians the subversive things that we are called to shake these kingdoms.  The scriptures tell us we will be known  by our love for each other.  As believers we are called to love & pray for those who persecute or bring evil against us; we are called to seek peace with all men; we are called to love our neighbors (foreign and domestic).

See God knows something we seem to still not get.  His way works any time, any place and under any ruler.  It does not matter who is in charge.  Loving your neighbor works and changes things. (consult history for details)

I also believe that the church must maintain a prophetic distance from all political/ideological/tribal groups.  We must be able to call out the good (what Jesus would do) and the bad (what he/we shouldn't do) in any setting or group.  To do this we must not find ourselves completely wrapped up by one side because no side will ever be totally aligned with God's kingdom purposes and we could find ourselves supporting things that are not of God.

As well, there is a deep tendency among people to submit to a tribal/geographic/family nature that says my group is better than your group.  My group should and must win because we are right.  The kingdom of God knows no such ideas and is universal (for God so loved the __________).  We as Christians are not allowed to have enemies.  We are on a mission of love in the world and church even when we don't agree on issues.  What we share and have in common as believers must rule our dialogue.

So, with all that being said…

Please Please Please don't send me any more "OMG Barack Obama May Be the Next President and I'm Scared to Death (because he is different) and You Should Be Too Emails".  It's going to be okay.  I am no more afraid of Obama than I am McCain or any other person for that matter.

To be honest I think it could be a cool thing (this is not an endorsement or statement of who I am for) if Obama won.  A man from a minority group that was not indigenous to this continent or country but was absorbed into this nation becoming president is a big deal.  It almost sounds Biblical (think Joseph, Daniel). It says a lot about the growth of a culture.

After 9/11 anyone carrying a name like Obama's should have a hard time winning anything.  But if he wins, is this an awesome picture of how people in our country have looked past a name or label to the potential of 
a man?  It reminds me of ideas like grace and forgiveness – kind of big ideas to our cause.  Maybe it says that many in the country have gladly awakened to 9/12 and moved on.

Listen.  We have survived Caesars, kings, queens, dictators, presidents, wars, persecutions, and Tinky Winky.  People, we are going to be okay.  Say it after me, "We are going to be okay."

(Unless of course you send me another one of these silly emails which will force me to bring all of my 
children to your house & not come and get them until after the election.)

Let's just take a deep breath; see what we as believers have in common (Jesus) and
realize we are going to see some earthly things differently. But we
must remember that the world is watching and listening and they need us to "get it" more than we need any certain man or woman to be president.

Peace ~

Snopes on Barack Obama Emails