Election Reflections

A large group of Christians gathered on a Social Media chat to “discuss” the US Presidential election. There were conservatives, liberals, progressives in the chat. Moderates, too.  Complementarians, egalitarians. Believers of all shapes, colors, sizes, nationalities, denominations and doctrinal beliefs.

A lot of snarky comments were tossed back and forth. Vile, hateful memes traded.  Jesus entered the discussion and keyboards grew still. 

“Hey, I meant it when I said ‘where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am among them’. There are definitely more than two of you here and you say you’re my followers.  Why are you so surprised that I’m joining in your chat?”

Some people left the room, but many stayed on.  A lot of “Thumbs Up” emojis appeared.  Smiley Faces, too.  And of course, some Praying Hands. But no one said anything. 

Then one brave participant, a lawyer jumped in to the discussion. 

“Lord, I just want to make sure of this.  What shall I do to inherit eternal life?”

“What is written in the Law? How do you read it?”

The lawyer’s feed went still for a moment then this appeared:

²⁷ And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”

Jesus smiled. “That was quick. BibleGateway is really handy. You’ve answered correctly; do this, and you will live.”

The lawyer was embarrassed it had been obvious he’d copied and pasted from Bible Gateway. Desiring to justify himself he said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

Jesus replied, “You’ve heard the story of the Good Samaritan, so I won’t repeat it.  I’ll be brief.  Everyone’s your neighbor.”

The audience sat silently in front of their keyboards as the implications of His words penetrated their hearts. Not even an emoji was sent.

One person finally typed “????” 

“Everyone.”

“Donald Trump!!??”

“Donald Trump”, Jesus posted.

“Hilary Clinton!!??” another asked, incredulously.

“Hilary Clinton.” Jesus paused for effect and then typed “Bill Clinton, too.”

“Rosie O’Donnell?  Alec Baldwin?”

“Yes to both.  All the Baldwin brothers, in fact.  And I need to remind you that Stephen Baldwin is not just your neighbor but your brother. He’s a believer, too.” Jesus continued, “I’ve said this before, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you. If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? Be merciful as your Father is merciful. It’s all in the Bible.”

At this point, many people left the chat. Some made final derogatory comments and posted a few mean-spirited and obscene memes. But Jesus did not reply to the insults hurled at Him.  He’d been through this before.

But there were still a number of people remaining in the Chat.  There were conservatives, liberals, and progressives. Moderates, too.  Complementarians, egalitarians. Believers of all shapes, colors, sizes, nationalities, denominations and doctrinal beliefs. One woman commented “Lord, that’s hard!”

“I know”, Jesus replied

Those remaining paused as each felt a stirring in their souls, the implication of His response washing over them.  It was a twinge of guilt mixed with a generous helping of mercy.

“I don’t even know where to begin!” many lamented.

“Why not start with I Corinthians 13; there’s nice list of possibilities there.  It’s not just meme material or a screen saver. It’s how I love you – patient, kind… Why not start with kind?”

“Do Facebook Likes and posts count?” one person joked.

“Oh, yes! What comes out of the mouth and the keyboard proceeds from the heart. A meme I saw recently said ‘Tweet others as you want others to tweet you.’ J”

“Uh, Lord I’ve got to go.  I’ve got some apologies to make.  And some Facebook posts to delete.”

Though none really wanted to leave the presence of their Lord, they felt the same urgency.

Jesus reassured them telling them “It’s ok to go.  I’m always near.  I am with you always to the end of the age.”

Election 2016-How I'm Voting and Why

Tuesday, November 8 will be the 10th time I will enter the voting booth to cast my vote for President of the United States.  I have done so each time with the knowledge of what a privilege it is to be able to vote for my country's leader. Few other countries allow their citizens this freedom.

As a Christian, I believe my freedom to vote is a God-given gift; one more place where I can shed salt and light and exercise my faith - and with so little risk!

About ten or twelve years ago I was in a Small Group meeting and we wound up discussing that year's upcoming election. The Pastor leading the group mentioned he was not going to vote. The group members were collectively dumbfounded and asked why.  His answer was something like "Why should I?" I blurted out "Because its irresponsible to not vote!?"

My vote is like one of those talents entrusted to the servants in the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30). I'm expected to use it, invest it; not just hide it in a hole in the ground.

With this in mind, it is then very difficult for me to say I plan on leaving the President portion of my ballot blank in this year's election. This is a decision with which I've struggled, agonized over for months.

I've know all along I could not vote for Hillary Clinton. I disagree with most (but not all) of the Democratic party's platform and Clinton's own policies and the values they reveal about her are reprehensible, even evil.  Add in that she's a liar and a cheat - well, there is nothing about her I can stomach.

For many month's I've been trying to find something about Donald Trump that could help me find reason to vote for him.  It seems he's worked overtime to give me reason to not vote for him. The hot mic tape came  as no surprise to me.  Though it was taped in 2005, Trump's attitudes and actions in the 11 years following have been no different. And Trump is not so much a Republican as he is a Trump-ite. His support of conservative values only goes as far as they serve his own interests.

People I love and respect will be voting for both candidates. Many of those voting for Clinton are doing so because they in good conscience cannot vote for Trump.  Those voting for Trump are doing so because they cannot vote for Clinton.

Trump supporters have explained to me their's is not a vote for POTUS as much as it's a vote for SCOTUS, their logic being Trump will nominate conservative justices. I don't see that as a good enough reason to vote for such a dishonorable candidate.

Proverbs 20:1 says "The king's heart is like a stream of water directed by the LORD; he guides it wherever he pleases." God can change the hearts and rulings of Supreme Court Justices current and future. The President who nominates them is immaterial to the Sovereign God.

Recently, I mentioned this reasoning to a few friends of mine. I (sincerely) told one woman if Clinton becomes president maybe she'll have a "road to Damacus" experience like Paul and have a change of heart! She laughed at (not with) me and said I was naive. Here I thought I was showing faith (but maybe this is naive).

Trump supporters also justify their position by saying we are not voting for a Pastor in Chief so the qualifications for Elder listed in Titus 1 don't apply. This is true. What I'm looking for in a leader are the qualities listed in Exodus 18:21.  Moses father-in-law, Jethro, a Midianite priest gave him some sound advice on what to look for when choosing leaders to assist him.  "Moreover, look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe..." As hard as I've tried, I can't see where Donald Trump fits this description in any way.

So, about 36 hours from now, I will make my way to the polls.  I will be casting votes for various offices and ballot measures, but I will be leaving the ballot for President of the United States empty. This is not a protest vote nor is it a default vote for Clinton, though she may very well be the next President.  My blank ballot is in fact an affirmative vote for the Sovereign God and in His ultimate authority over the USA.

Obama as Nebudchanezzar

The Bible says we’re supposed to submit to government authorities as they were put in their positions by God.  I’ve tried to follow this directive.  While others refer to him as “Obama”, I’ve tried to intentionally use his title President Obama, conferring respect for his position.  I may not have felt respect, but I thought by using his title I might eventually develop some.

The day after his last inauguration speech, I was driving to work listening to talk radio during my long commute.  The previous week had contained a particularly large number of hot topics in the news including the economy, jobs, Benghazi, abortion, same-sex marriage, and women in combat.  The IRS and NSA scandals hadn’t even entered the picture, yet.  As the radio shows and news reports were rehashing the President’s inauguration address in which he touched on these divisive issues I remember being struck with – not anger or frustration, my normal reaction; but with a deep sense of sorrow for our country.  Suddenly I realized why President Obama so brazenly flaunted unbiblical principals – God had hardened his heart, as He had with other leaders throughout history.  At times, God hardened leaders’ hearts as a judgment of the people of the nation, their defiance of His authority.  This is what I felt on that day; God had hardened our President’s heart because of the American people’s disregard for Him.

And so I began praying more regularly for our country and its leaders, including President Obama.  I prayed for a return to the Biblical principles on which our nation was founded and our constitution developed.

Though I disagree with President Obama’s policies, I honestly believed he wanted the same outcome as I did.  You know - life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, the Bill of Rights, the self-evident truths.  Since Syria crossed the “red-line” and subsequent developments it’s become clear to me that I was naive. 

When it was revealed that Syria had used chemical weapons, I supported US intervention.  When you take a child’s life, you forfeit your own.  Period.  No amount of diplomacy can correct such evil; there is no room for negotiation when a kid is involved.  My motto – “Don’t mess with kids” (and were I not trying to exhibit a bit of decorum, I’d use another four letter word other than ‘mess’).

However, the President’s comments and behavior these past few weeks have led me to change my position on attacking Syria.  Obama’s (note the missing title) flip-flopping, denials and blaming demonstrate his motives.  He is not defending US interests; he cares not for the US Constitution, his motivations are not innocent Syrian citizens and children, and the only life, liberty and pursuit of happiness he’s interested in are his own.  He doesn’t even support his supporters or staff; he routinely hangs them out to dry.   I don’t trust him.  In addition, Obama doesn’t even know what he wants to accomplish in Syria so getting involved with not even a remote goal would be disastrous.

As I listened to Obama’s lackluster speech last night I was reminded of that day last January when I was struck by how hardened his heart was.  As I drove to work today, again listening to the talk radio hosts rehash the speech, God reminded me of another story – that of Nebudchanezzar.  In the Daniel 4 passage, because of his pride and disregard of God Nebudchanezzar went insane for a period and roamed the fields eating grass, like cattle.

After having to dine on the crow he served up these past few weeks, Obama can expect to be eating a vegan diet for a while until such time that he humbles himself.  Unfortunately our country will suffer in the meantime.