I say that with a question mark because I am not sure whom I am endorsing quite yet. Like anyone cares...but, still I have not yet decided where my vote will land.Yesterday, my husband and I went to hear Barak Obama speak at a political rally here in Dallas. We both decided to go and witness history in the making. I am proud to see a black candidate make it this far in a presidential race, and to see that he is in the lead! In my opinion, these are exciting times for our country!
I cannot believe we actually made it in the rally. There were soooo many people there; about 18,000 turned out to hear Barak's inspirational message of hope. While I don't agree with all of his political positions, I do agree with him that America was built on the foundation of hope...and look how far we've come.
But what is hope?
The theologian in me could not resist disecting his speech as he spoke of hope! My husband says I am always thinking in theological terms!! Sometimes I think I wear him out. But anyway, as a Christian I truly believe there are no divisions between the secular and the sacred. What does this mean? It means as a Christ-follower I am compelled to bring Christ, His teachings, and His cause into every area of my life. No exceptions. Everything is spiritual in life...from the way we care for our families, to our careers, to how we talk to the person who checks us out at Wal-Mart, to issues related ot government.
I say all of this to say, I do not place my hope in Barak Obama or in any politician. So, as people were yelling and getting excited about the hope he spoke of, I found myself not able to get all that worked up. I am not looking for Washington to solve the problems of the world: education, poverty, genocide in Darfur, economic distress, gas prices.
Now, can the Lord use the government as a vessel to bring hope to these hopeless issues? Yes. But, it will be the Lord, not any politician who will bring the ultimate healing to our land. I pray, like King David of Israel, that our next president will be one who recognizes their position as a means to exercise and bring hope, restoration, and righteousness to our land.
In the meantime, however, the church should be a pillar of light and hope to the world. Christ is the hope of the world, not the government. No matter what the world may think, Christ and the good news of the Gospel are relevant to today! Every single issue our country faces, Christ offers His hope, not just right now in the present, but hope for the future too!
Because one day, a Savior will be coming back to restore that which has been lost. Jesus will restore order where there has been chaos. He will restore peace where there has been war. Jesus will restore righteousness where there has been injustice. I hope as Chrsitians we will all long for that day when there will be no more need for hope, because it will be fulfilled upon our Lord's return!
I want to insert here: the harvest is plenty, but the workers are few. Our nation right here in the United States is a mission field, ripe and ready to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Let's get busy bringing the message of Christ's hope to our world. What an honor to be a vessel of hope to others. So, in all areas of your life, bring Christ's hope...in the classroom where you teach, in the way you conduct business, or in your children.
Back to the presidential race: I am looking for a candidate who will stand for what I believe in: equality among races and socio-economic lines, a concern for the environment, educating all children, ending genocide in Darfur, extending help to the homeless, sanctity of life, justice, and peace.
What candidate fits the things that are most important to me? I'm not quite sure yet. But, when I decide I will be sure to post my thoughts. I am hopeful that God will place exactly whom He wants to be in Washington to fulfill history and the times which we are living in.
Keep hope alive!
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3 comments:
Good post on hope. I have not decided yet who to back either, but I agree with what you say about our hope being in Jesus. It has to do with how we see the world. This post encourages me to share my world view and hopefully bring light and hope to others in the meantime. I work as an educator in a medium secure prison for men. The Lord has given me opportunity to share my views and these men, my students, need hope!
Politics is more and more in the news. And more and more people are turning to politics, either by becoming members of political parties or by voting for party candidates. Amid the growing popularity of politics is heard the voice of religion. This voice too talks politics. But sermonizing on political matters is not all; religion urges professed Christians to be active politically. But even without clerical exhortation, the masses of professed Christians are so immersed in politics that many are more active politically than religiously. All this prompts some questions.
But seldom do people stop to ponder these questions: Is it by plunging into politics that a person demonstrates he is a follower of Christ? Is this quest to better the world through politics the example set by Jesus and the early Christians?
The Textbook of Christianity, the Bible, tells us why early Christians shunned politics. It shows that a fundamental principle of Christianity is separateness from the world. And the early Christians changed their lives to live up to this requirement for right worship. Said the Bible writer James: “The form of worship that is clean and undefiled from the standpoint of our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their tribulation, and to keep oneself without spot from the world.” “Adulteresses, do you not know that the friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever, therefore, wants to be a friend of the world is constituting himself an enemy of God.” To delve into politics would mean to show friendship for the world, and to show friendship for the world would mean to make oneself an enemy of God. That is why the early Christians shunned politics.—Jas. 1:27; 4:4
But why should true Christians shun politics when they could do much, seemingly, to better the world? The answer is, as the Bible shows, that true Christians do not advocate or preach democracy, socialism, communism or any other form of human government as a remedy for the world’s woes. What Christians preach is a heavenly government, the kingdom of God. And that kingdom is not part of this world. Said Jesus: “My kingdom is no part of this world. If my kingdom were part of this world, my attendants would have fought that I should not be delivered up to the Jews. But, as it is, my kingdom is not from this source.”—John 18:36
God’s kingdom is no mere social reform. It is the government that will rule the universe. To make way for the universal rule of God’s kingdom, the Bible shows, the political governments of this world must be destroyed. Not from men will come this destruction, but from God. Declared the prophet Daniel: “In the days of those kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed, nor shall the sovereignty thereof be left to another people; but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.”—Dan. 2:44,
So the early Christians were careful not to meddle with politics. They knew that God’s kingdom is destined to destroy all political governments and that those involved in politics would be enemies of God and hence also in line for destruction. Vigorously the early Christians preached the Kingdom hope of the world. They showed the utter futility of trusting in human rulers. The apostle Paul wrote: “Now we speak wisdom among those who are adults, but not the wisdom of this system of things nor that of the rulers of this system of things who are to come to nothing.” We are still living in what the Bible calls this “present wicked system of things.” But soon now at the impending war of Armageddon the rulers of this world will come to nothing. Those persons friendly with the world are in line for the same fate.—1 Cor. 2:6; Gal. 1:4
However, true Christians do not meddle in politics, no matter what the country in which they live. They do not interfere with what others do as to joining a political party, running for office or voting in elections. But, since Jesus said that his disciples would be “no part of the world,” true Christians should not take no part whatsoever in political activities. Voting and writing to lawmakers suggests that there is a human solution to the problem. Only God’s Kingdom will bring lasting peace and security to lovers of peace everywhere. True Christians pray for that Kingdom (Matt. 6: 9, 10) and they live in harmony with its principles of peace, and they spend their time telling others about it. In all the earth true Christians will keep busy preaching that God’s Kingdom is the only means by which peace, prosperity and lasting happiness are possible for lovers of righteousness in all the earth. (Matt. 24:14)
Thanks, anonymous for stopping by & leavng your thoughts. I agree with you on many of your points, however, I do not agree with you that 'real' Christians do not partake in the political process. Where does Scripture support this? I do not believe that is a correct hermeneutical interpretation of scripture. Yes, I do believe Christians need to 'keep first the kingdom of God,' but I do not believe it has to be at the expense of not partaking in the political process. I for one as a black woman appreciate the sacrifice men and women made during the civil rights for my generation...i feel it is my responsiblity & duty to exercise my right to vote.
I digress...sorry. I will simply say in the words of my great pastor, Dr. Tony Evans, that sometimes we Christians are so heavenly minded we are no earthly good...
Getting involved in the political process for the glory of God can be just one way a Christian serves the Lord and others...for the kingdom of God.
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