I will be the first to admit I am not a political person. In fact, I do my best to avoid politics. However, during an election year, avoiding politics is about as easy as living under a rock. It is everywhere-the TV, the newspaper, my Twitter and Facebook, and even in many of the conversations people want to have. However, I have always struggled with how involved Christians become in politics. As I read my Facebook feed this morning I was utterly disappointed in my Christian brothers and sisters. One post referred to Obama as the anti-Christ, others were speaking of how “disappointed” they were Christians failed to vote “right” (whatever that means), and most were just full of gloom and doom.
We live in one of the most prosperous nations in the world. We have the freedom to vote in a democratic election. We have the freedom to worship as we want, say what we think, and pretty much do what we want. Today our little girls will head off to school without fear of being shot in the head. Today majority of Americans will eat at least one decent meal, most of us will eat three or four. Today we have an elected leader who will continue in office peacefully. No blood was shed. No lives were lost in this election. We are a nation pouring millions of dollars into the restoration of the devastation caused by a natural disaster. We will rebuild our homes, roads, and buildings. Our lives will continue on. There is hope.
I suppose I am most disappointed in it all because I feel like as Christians we have forgotten our mission. We have forgotten why we serve the Savior of the world. It is not so we can have a say in who is elected to a man-made throne. We serve Him because He first served us and died for us. In that death, He called us to love the brokenhearted, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the sick and imprisoned, and go and make disciples. He called us to be His hands and feet in this world. Quite frankly, I highly doubt the hands and feet of Jesus would be bashing our elected leader. In fact, I am pretty sure Christ loves and cares for President Obama just as much as He loves and cares for you and I firmly believe that if the American church would step up and truly decide to become the image of Christ on earth, it would not matter who was in office. If we would spend less money on building projects and more money on serving the needs of those around us, we may not need Obamacare. If we loved and accepted everyone equally, we may not have to worry so much about whether abortion was legal or not. And if we all got together and rallied around a mission to love and serve the world, no government would be able to stand in the way because with God on our side, who can be against us?
So today, before you make another remark on how awful our nation is going to be because of an imperfect elected leader, remember who you serve and who is ultimately the judge and ruler. Otherwise, I am going to stop claiming some of you as friends because you are just embarrassing me.
