"Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God." Psalm 20:7 A timely variation of this verse could be "some trust in Republicans and some in Democrats...."
It is my fear that nothing distracts the people of God in our country quite like a presidential election. [At this point I might have to grant some of you permission to determine to no longer read this blog.]
This is not to say that people of faith should not prayerfully take their faith into the voting booth and carefully and diligently make sure no chads remain. But the bluster of the campaign pulls us away from our true call and worse causes us to abandon our truest positions of power. When we occupy ourselves with politics it is often at the cost of the gospel.
To make matters worse the chariots and horses before us are not really in that great a shape. Somebody should get a carfax report on these rides. A recent report from Lifeway Research reported that 80% of Southern Baptist pastors intend to vote for a particular candidate and only 1% intend to vote for the other. Now, I may or may not be in that majority but I find it a little puzzling that there would be such a sweeping support for a man whose lifestyle has been made possible by his wife's beer distributorship empire (I think there have been some SBC resolutions concerning alcohol), who criticized leading evangelicals as "agents of intolerance" and whose marital fidelity at least in the past has been questionable (an issue that in other administrations has been very important to us).
Please do not take this as an endorsement of his opponent, because it is not. It is just to point out that our state of distraction causes us to develop enthusiasm in places we never would imagine. But we do so because we must win!
If we don't win, the world will come to end. (Don't believe me, just check your email in box for anything that begins with FW:FW:FW:FW:FW.) Our people are frightened about what will happen if "our guy" loses. But I have checked...Our Guy does not lose!
May we be ready before and after the election to help our folks stay focused on that which has the greatest impact in all circumstances -- Jesus Christ and Him crucified!
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5 comments:
Good word of warning. It's amazing what Christians will accept as long as the politics are acceptable.
Hey I always thought you were a political hound. Lets not separate our faith from our convictions and politics.
Derrick
I'm thankful to have a Pastor that reminds us "Our Guy" never loses! Glad you are one of those Pastors also. Our Pastor also has said there are worse things than having to pay $4.95 for a gallon of gas....it's being unsaved and paying $4.95 for a gallon of gas. I don't think I'll ever forget that. May we not lose focus of the Gospel!
Lisa
Anonymous
That is a good word about what really matters. With the gas prices you guys have been having I am sure that resonated.
Tim
A hardy AMEN! It is disheartening to see how quickly convictions are dumped in honor of beating out the other guy.
I am so glad that our God is Sovereign and that these earthly distractions are just that.. He will continue to be King regardless of who our Earthly leaders are.
I would never advocate not voting but this quote has really resonated with me lately...
“Of two evils, choose neither” Spurgeon
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