Written by Scott Archer on October 2, 2013.
Posted in La Mesa CCC,
Pastor's Blog
At the time of this writing, the government of the United
States of America is closed for business. The longer the shutdown drags on, the
more all of us will feel its effects directly or indirectly. As the threat of a
government shutdown became a reality, traditional media and social media
exploded with rants, opinions, editorials, jokes and accusations – each side
blaming the other for the stalemate. And, almost everybody vowing to “vote the
bums out” at the next available opportunity. Where’s my ballot?
While understanding the average
person’s frustration at the situation – I’m certainly irritated myself – I must
confess that I am concerned at the nature of some of the discourse I’ve heard
and read, specifically from my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. The
expressions of anger and the tenor of accusation seem unbecoming of a follower
of Jesus Christ. As the political poles in our country continue to move farther
and farther apart, the fearful, character bashing comments from Christian
people about any issue or political figure from the local school board
president to President Obama himself are very disconcerting. At the risk of
sounding trite, as Christians, I think it’s time we took a step back and asked
ourselves, “What would Jesus do?”, how would Jesus have us engage in public
debate and discourse – especially in the age of social media?
I’m not smart or holy enough and
there is not time here to fully answer that question, but I do have two
thoughts.
First, and foremost, Christians are called to be people
of prayer. Jesus himself taught us to pray
for God’s kingdom to come and his will to be done on earth as it is in heaven.
And, the apostle Paul specifically directed us to pray and give thanks for kings and
all those in authority,” (1 Timothy
2:1). Are we truly seeking God’s heart for our nation? Are we praying for our
leaders? Are our public comments coming from this place of prayer, reflection
and thanksgiving?
Secondly, government shutdown or
not, Christians
should be people and beacons of hope.
We believe and know we live in a fallen world that outside of the grace of God
is never going to get it right. So, even though we engage in the political
process to the best of our knowledge and ability and work for the good of our
country and our world, we
are not looking to any political person or system for the ultimate fix. With our father, Abraham, we are “confidently looking
forward to a city with eternal foundations, a city designed and built by God,”
(Hebrews 11:10). That hope should guard us from angry, fearful public
engagement.
Respectfully and hopefully yours, Pastor Scott
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