I usually choose to steer clear of writing about politics on my social media platforms. I find that these days we seem to be so divided and easily triggered that I don’t want to waste time on something that is divisive and distracts from what I believe is most important - that is, Jesus and His gospel. I don’t want things I say or write to obscure the opportunity to share the truth that is the only thing that can truly unite and bring peace and which lasts for eternity. And I most definitely do NOT want to get into arguments and discussion about such things on social media. And I am NOT interested at all to discuss or entertain conspiracy theories and such from any side, either. That doesn’t mean I don’t think about and have opinions on politics, but it does mean that I am trying to keep such things in proper perspective, and not ponder and spill about them much on social media and my blog. I found that when I quit watching the 24/7 news channels so much, I have had a much more calm approach to life in general. In fact, I seldom turn the cable news networks on these days because so much of it is not ‘news’ anyhow. Anyway, not the real point of this post, but more a disclaimer before I continue.
My pastor recently said something along the lines that really, it’s good for a Christian to find him or herself politically homeless. That resonated with me. I’m not really comfortable anywhere, though I feel more at home on the conservative side than not, but that’s mostly because of the abortion issue. I just cannot vote for so-called ‘pro-choice’ candidates. That’s my conscience and it’s not negotiable for me. There are other major issues that concern me deeply and prevent me from voting for the leftward side as well, but that is beyond the scope of this post. But that also doesn’t mean I love everything about the Republicans or the President at the moment, either. But….the options are extremely limited so I have to thoughtfully consider and vote as my conscience allows, even if the ideal candidate doesn’t exist. Has an ideal candidate ever existed? Some of what I see among my side of the aisle makes me uncomfortable - we seem to try so hard to marry politics and Christianity and we end up with this weird syncretism of Americanianity that is, to be honest, offensive. Christianity transcends nationalism, but so much of what we see these days is a dangerous civil religion that is more American than Christian. I cringe when I hear pastors on TV sounding angry at everyone who disagrees with ‘their side’ and come across as more concerned about Americanism than about the gospel, and defending character issues in their chosen candidate that just a few years ago they vehemently opposed in others, and honestly I am much more disappointed and angry with them than I am with the secular politicians because of how they distort the gospel message. That could be a whole blogpost in itself, but I don’t have the energy to go there right now. So I’m politically somewhat homeless and more so all the time it seems. As something I saw recently, I don’t remember where I saw or heard the discussion, but the thought was that the more homeless we feel with earthly politics, the more prone we will be to remember that our trust and hope are not in earthly politicians anyway. Yes and amen.
Anyway, all that is a very long lead up to what I actually wanted to write about today. While reading through Proverbs, I came across this:
“Wisdom rests in the heart of a man of understanding,
but it makes itself known even in the midst of fools.
Righteousness exalts a nation,
but sin is a reproach to any people.” (Proverbs 14:13-14)
I got to thinking, as I lean into and embrace the idea that political homelessness is better for me than entrenching myself too deeply into hoping in earthly, worldly philosophies, this is a good way to pray for our elected officials. Pray for people of wisdom and understanding to rise up and become people we can confidently vote for, and pray for those who we may not always be thrilled with that even in their midst, may wisdom make itself known. I pray often that our elected officials will pursue what is best for the country and the people, even in spite of themselves. I think it is our duty to pray for our government, whether we like them or not….they have a difficult job and they need our prayers, and they certainly need real wisdom. And as I pray, I can confidently put my trust in the One who is sovereign over all. He oversees all by His Providence and I can trust Him to do His will, even when I don’t see it or understand it. I can trust that He is working all things as He wants them to work ultimately. He is sovereign over the nations.
*You can find the sermon from our pastor that I was thinking of as I thought about this at this link .
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