I'm just taking a chance here, being that it's Tuesday night at 7:18 and the results aren't final yet, but the world didn't end! A liberal African-American is the president of the United States!!! For many this is amazing and for many there is fear.
The election of Barack Obama says a lot. It's demonstrates that an African-American from a broken home can have hope, that in and of itself is beautiful. It demonstrates that an inexperienced Senator with a liberal voting record can become the leader of the free world by being inspirational and eloquent in his speech. It demonstrates that Americans are willing to take risk and not just be conservative or centrist. It also demonstrates that a majority is counting on government to help solve their problem.
So what does this mean? For the Christian it should mean nothing. After all, hasn't the church been on the foreground of racial reconciliation, spreading our wealth, fighting for social justice, making peace with our enemies abroad, etc.? Don't forget I tend to be sarcastic.
Let's go down the fear road for a minute. What if the worst judgments about President Obama are true? What if he's a closet socialist, maybe even a Muslim? What if the the rich are taxed more than 40% of their income. What if jobs continue to dry up and go over oversees like they have been? What if we get attacked again by terrorists? What if our freedoms are threatened?
Will this effect how you live as a Christian?
Let's go down a more positive road. What if President Obama brings us out of our economic disaster? What if the middle class is restored? What if disenfranchised African-American community see President Obama's election as the last hurdle for equality and begin to thrive. What if America rebuilds it's reputation with other countries continuing to lessen the threat of terrorism at home?
Will this effect how you live as a Christian?
Remember, YOU ARE THE SALT OF THE EARTH. It was never, "Behold, Obama who will restore the middle class" nor "Behold, McCain who will protect us and allow us to pursue prosperity", rather, it was, "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world." Jesus didn't come here to put the church in power politically but to empower her spiritually to help solve the spiritual problem the world, our nation, is in need of.
So please remember, the day after, that our security is not in the policies of elected officials, our wealth is not measured by hard work in our vocation, our freedom is not in democracy but, instead, you already live in the Kingdom of Heaven when you are poor in spirit. Also, our influence as the church is NEVER dependant on what government we are under but we are influential when we are willing to care for the sick, fight for the oppressed, seek justice, and live a life of love that is foreign to the very culture we are a part of.
MxPx once said, "Politics-Shmolitics, it's too confusing" and I would agree with this below average punk band.
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2 comments:
Keith,
I linked you over at 21st Century Reformation. As for this post, the way I look at politics is more like calling on a mechanic to fix my car or calling a surgeon to fix my broken arm. I do not think placing my hope in the mechanic to fix my car is unrealistic at all or inappropriate. So why not ask a group of economist of a certain ilk to fix the economy. I think it is appropriate.
What seems so very strange is that the same people who expect government to regulate homosexuality and marraige now are offended that liberals are looking to government to fix the government. There are spheres and to look to the treasury to stimulate the economy is more right than to look to government to protect us from social ills as evangelicals seem to trust government to do.
Brad-
Good analogy of the doctor or the mechanic. I think that too often, Christians, try to legislate morality. It's a little dicey because I obviously agree with them on the right to life for unborn babies, although I believe it should be a states issue, but being that this is a republican backed belief it can cause Christian to loose their bearings on policy matter such as economy, etc.
I TOTALLY agree with you about Christians wanting more regulation of moral issues but are offended by the majority of Americans voting to have the government solve the economic mess.
I have been wondering a lot about Prop. 8 and have not been seeing a great difference between that and issues like using the Lord's name in vain, honoring your mom and dad, etc. All of these issue are present in our schools but are not outlawed.
I look forward to reading your 'fair and balance' Pro-Bama blog!
Keith
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