Toward UNITY

Aren’t we glad the conventions are over?  I know I am! I’ve been silent due to a really horrendous cold (or allergies?)  which may have been caused by staying up too late to watch all the hullabaloo and post speeches commentary by all the newsies.

There is definitively a stark contrast and a choice that we, as Americans, are privileged to make in November! And I hope you will take the time and effort needed to let your voice be heard.  One of the greatest travesties in our 21^st century America is that only about half of us that are able to vote, actually do. With the changes in some states’ voting laws, please be sure that you are properly registered with the proper credentials.  I am not going to go into the controversy surrounding the changes – my message on this is to BE PREPARED-GET REGISTERED-VOTE!!!

One of the things I’ve noticed is the increased proliferation of “picto-memes” on Facebook.  You know, those created signs, graphs and political statements posted to let us know what’s on their mind.  Much to my embarrassment, even as I desire to be a source of information rather than division, I’ve gotten caught up in a bit of discussion.  Thankfully, I nipped it in the bud before it became a battle of “your guy vs. my guy” and trying to prove the truth or fiction of it.

In my opinion, one of the reasons there’s so much division is because we all want to win; we all want to be right… our way really is the BEST! …and then, in the midst of the heatedness, I’m blessed to remember many of Jesus’ words that bring me back to what’s truly important-especially in the Christian community of believers I belong to and more importantly the Church as a whole.  As Christians our “first love” is to be our God and Lord.  Confession time: I get carried away as I support my candidate! I want him to win.  I believe in his values, his hope and vision for our country…and I bet that you feel the same way about your candidate too.  And it may be that our candidates are not the same!

The last few weeks, I’ve had to re-think my words and comments a number of times…and again, heard stories of anger and dissension because of political discussion.  Family members resort to name calling, friends removing friends from everywhere.  Saddest for me are folks leaving my church family because of the opposing views of others.  Being me, I sought out what Scripture says on how we, as Christians are to conduct ourselves, especially in these highly charged emotional times.  I hope you’ll take a little time to reflect on these things.

• ·         Mark 9:35  Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”
  In other words, it’s not REALLY that important to win, be the best, or be right.

• ·         Luke 20:25 “He said to them, “Then give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”
  I suggest you read the whole passage in context.  But I like the statement as a reminder of what’s truly important.

• ·         Matthew 5:9   Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. (And check out James 3:18 for back up)
  We are all called to be peacemakers… and again, read the entire Sermon on the Mount-it’s a reminder of our need for perspective.

Paul wrote quite a bit also, and for a biblical view on all things government, check out Romans 13:1-10 and remember that we, as Christians are called to LOVE.

Submission to Governing Authorities

1 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.

6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

Love Fulfills the Law

8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. 9 The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,”  and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”  10 Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

Lastly, consider Paul’s warning in Romans 16:17 - ¹⁷ I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. ¹⁸ For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites.

From the very beginning, our shared spiritual enemy has used lies, and division to keep us from our greater purpose which is to love God and our neighbor. Those are the commands, and true values we should seek in electing our leaders as well. These, to my way of thinking and believing are our HIGHEST CALLING.      

TRADITION!

One of my favorite films of all time is “Fiddler on the Roof”.  As it opens the main character, Tevye, wonderfully sings of the joy and great importance of tradition and how it affects every aspect of Jewish life.  If you haven’t seen it, I strongly recommend that you do! Thanks to YouTube you can see what I’m talking about here.  Without spoiling the story for any that may not have seen it, Tevye has great conversations with God, much as I imagine Isaiah might have, in response to “Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord” ( Isaiah 1:18).  As the story progresses, circumstances of his beloved daughters cause him to question the very traditions that he has relied on throughout his life-and reason with God as he seeks answers.

I’m betting that you and your family have some much cherished traditions.  A personal favorite in my family is calling up each other on our birthday to sing “the stupid birthday song”…. I’m almost positive that you’ve heard it… “Happy birthday to you, you live in a zoo, you look like a monkey and you smell like one too!”  Family members are not subject to this humiliation until their 21^st birthday, and presumably, after a long “first night” of legal drinking we wake up the celebrant as early as possible from a horrendous hangover.  I know, it’s cruel but so much fun!  In more recent years as my siblings and I have gotten older and no longer drink as part of celebrating our birthday, we tend to call a little bit later in the morning, primarily I suspect, because we hope the same consideration will be given to us.

Other traditions are passed down generation to generation.  Our faith, holiday and political persuasion are just a few that come to mind. How often have you heard “I was raised __________, so I am also __________________.”  Or, I am a Christian so I am for (or against) this issue, or that candidate.”  I venture to say that at least one of your views or values is based strictly on what is normal in your circle, or family, or faith.  That being said, can you honestly say with conviction WHY you hold that view? Could you effectively debate beyond "just because"?

As many of you know I’m sorta weird.  I’m a Bible-believing, God-loving, Jesus-following, born again evangelical “left leaning” moderate and (voter) registered independent.  I was raised in a “mixed” household.  Mom was “blue” and dad was “red”. Needless to say, politics wasn’t often a topic around our house, but when it was it was uh, heated, to put it mildly, and sometimes even reverted to slammed doors and name calling.  Being curious, I spent many hours learning about the country’s political process, how it works, and why; the Constitution and what it means for me.  And in high school, Civics was a requisite course for graduation.  Civics is the study of the theoretical and practical aspects of citizenship, its rights and duties; the duties of citizens to each other as members of a political body and to the government.^[1] It includes the study of civil law and civil code, and the study of government with attention to the role of citizens’ ― as opposed to external factors ― in the operation and oversight of government.  (If you’re curious about Civics, and I hope you are check out http://www.icivics.org/About )

Awhile back I wrote a post about the seeming conflict between my Christian faith and my duty and rights as an American citizen.  It indeed has been said that religion and politics should never be discussed in the same room at the same time!  The ultimate conclusion is that I follow Jesus, and use His teachings as a guide to how I practice the freedom I have as an American.

As we get nearer and nearer to Election Day, all the pix/commentary/and memes on FB get more heated.  I’ve heard rumors that people are “de-friending” others and even leaving the fellowship found in Church because of the political views expressed. Having been involved myself in some commentary and after a 20 day “fast from politics” and seeking God, I’ve decided to separate the politics from faith on this blog-and create a new blog strictly FOR assisting others to get beyond the political rhetoric (aka spin), beyond the vitriol and yes, maybe even beyond their tradition!  A little "truth in advertising" so to speak.  My goal and hope is to inform and provide, without bias, what candidates support, reject, vs what they say; for all to gain better understanding of how government works and most of all, to shed light on policies, candidate positions and law without all the legalese, in plain English.   In these difficult times, it is so easy to blame government for our problems, and granted, it is often justified.  However, we are truly blessed to live in a country where we do have a voice, and a vote.  Let’s not waste it by voting “just because” .  Instead, let’s stop complaining and let our voice be heard and vote based on truth…not just tradition!  If you’re willing, if you dare – the new blog is Well Informed Citizen. I'll have my first post up a little later.  I challenge you to go see it.  : )

Care to share your opinion on tradition? Or anything related to this post? I'd love to hear from you and hope you'll stretch your wings a little and take a look at the new blog.  I promise, going forward, that THIS space will no longer have political content.  Hope you'll hold me to it!