Citizen Commentary (Part 2)
As the election looms today, some approach it with hope and others with a sense of foreboding. Kyle (a COAS regular) commented on the reaction of “religious folk” (who I will assume includes Christians) on the lack of faith in the government or electoral system:
[I've heard a] huge number of religious folk I personally know who have no faith in the USA’s government or electoral system. Or this upcoming election. For people who believe in the grace and divinity of God’s perfect plan, they sure are being whiny about this election. It is delightful to see so many people who have faith in a god (in which I have very little faith) now have almost no faith in the course our nation may or may not take.
How the tables have turned!
This fascinates me. Why? Because I don’t think that Christians are losing faith in the government system. Far more significantly we are putting too much faith in government, so much so that we are losing sight of a sovereign God who can and will work in spite of a tragically human and flawed system.
If anything, the realization that the government and electoral system are flawed and inappropriate places to put our full trust could actually remove the crutch and turn us back to putting our faith in something more capable. Could God use that? Absolutely! Many culturally conservative Christians have enjoyed 8 years of leadership for their agenda. But if Obama is elected, maybe our crutch will be gone and we will stop relying on the government to legislate hope and “be the hope we wish to see in the world.” As I said in my last post, the hope of the world is Jesus through His church. It’s about time we Christians (of all political spectrums) stop trying to legislate hope or social reform.
For the conservative types… If Obama and the Democratic party gain leadership, maybe you can spend less energy lobbying for the improbable and work to make abortion less of an option for those considering it (counseling, financial aid, mentoring, adoption).
For liberal types… If McCain is elected and you are forced to deal with another Republican president you don’t agree with, maybe you can adjust your rhetoric and methodology. Kill them with kindness! Turn the other cheek! Work with what you got!
Here’s the thing. God is bigger than your vote. He is bigger than our government. He is bigger than our (individual and national) agenda. He is bigger than our piss-poor intentions, lousy behavior, and pathetic political posturing. The weakness of God is better than the strength of men. The foolishness of God is wiser than the wisdom of men. How could we possible “screw it up” as a nation when He is ultimately in control and moving His creation towards redemption?
Kyle, THANK you for your comment. I disagree that religious folk are losing faith in the electoral system. I believe that we are actually putting too much faith in it (seriously… why are we surprised?). But it is a powerful and fascinating judgment on how wrong many of us (Christians) have lost sight of the real hope for the world.
If God can use a dozen unenducated, ignorant fishermen to found His church, surely He can accomplish His purposes in a Democratic/Republican-led country?
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I KNEW you wold turn it around this way! haha!
I agree with you, Brad. Our government can only work so far in our lives, and our government’s job is not to make the world perfect for ME. They are there to establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty. Nowhere in the founding documents of our nation can we read, “achieve the desired ethical norms of the biggest voting mass.”
Other than the stated purposes of our government, we must all be activists for ourselves.
And to clarify: what interests me most of all about my original comment is that I am realizing, bit by bit, that faith is a part of my daily landscape. Maybe not faith in a god, but faith is there. It’s reassuring.
C’mon Obama - we love ya man!