Lovely, Lovely Politics

Hey, did anyone else know we are voting for a new president this year?

In case you are wondering, that was a sad attempt at humor. It is that time of year (and the year, for that matter) when politics takes over everything media.

I can't help but notice how volatile the subject can be. I marvel at how easy it is to get mad at people I've never met because they think differently than me. Butterflies creep into my stomach when I think about what the future might hold.

I worry. I stew. I get bent out of shape.

People on TV make me angry.

Hmmm... I wonder how Jesus would behave during an election year?

Somehow I don't see him getting caught up in the debates and speeches. I don't see Him worrying about what the future might hold. I don't even see him getting irritated or angry with people who aren't on his "side."

Frankly, I don't see Jesus having a "side." I am pretty sure Jesus spent his time focusing on and loving individual souls regardless of how liberal or conservative they were.

The following quote from John Ortenberg puts things into perspective for me. It comes at the end of an article titled "Non-prophet Preaching" in which John discusses the church's roll in politics (the article appeared in the Summer 2008 issue of Leadership magazine).

He concludes the article with these words:

There is a longing. But it is not really about Camelot, or King
Arthur, or Shangrila, or Constantine, or whomever your favorite candidate is.

The longing is for a carpenter-turned-rabbi, who once ran for Messiah, and got crucified.

So we read about the issues. We debate. We learn about
policy. We pray. We speak respectfully in the public square.
We vote at elections. We serve on councils and cabinets. We preach
about God's concern for peace and justice and generosity and
righteousness.

But we always remember: this is something we do while we're waiting.

(emphasis mine)

I love that line "while we're waiting." It is just the paradigm switch I need when politics gets my stomach tied in knots and my blood boiling.

And while I'm waiting, I'm going to try to worry a little less and love a little more. After all, I serve a big God who loves me no matter what side I'm on - I think he'd want me to return the favor.