Regarding
politicians in general, I have heard more negative quotes than
positive. Actually, I have heard more negative thoughts than neutral! I
would go as far as to say that many of the comments made, by
Christians, towards politicians were masked curses.
“How long will Paul Martin’s Liberal minority last?”
"We just need a different, better Republican who’ll be a good, honest,
just president, and who is truly, broadly, deeply pro-life, instead
of…"
"And we could use a pro-life Democrat too, while we’re at it. We need more…”
"What does church teaching say about voting when one or both candidates give strong indications they’re liars?"
"I completely understand our politicians and lawmakers are worthless…"
These quotes were taken from various Christian forums. The first was from a recently taken poll.
Well, what do we really believe? Some people are okay or even happy
with the effort exerted by our government leaders. Some want "a better
man" for the job. Some want politicians to go away completely, and to
have their anarchist freedom restored. Some want Christian politicians
to replace all non-Christian politicians. What is the motivation behind
our words? From what I have observed, it seems to be the same old
stuff. The same old cycle of blame shifting and demanding that someone
do a better job of things while we sit and mock their effort.
I throw out a challenge: To examine the sources of our every word. I
admit I do not know the source of my every word, and yet, I still make
the charge. I ask so that we might see hope of change in our hard
hearts;
To encourage one another to encourage one another because my point is this:
If we, as Christians, first curse politicians in their field, and then expect them to rule perfectly, who is the offender?
As a voting citizen, it really should be our duty to find out whom we
are voting for. Granted, political campaigns make it hard to see the
person for who they really are, and what they really stand for, but
that does not excuse us from our responsibility to elect the
representative of the majority.
Most political campaigns work the same way: First you present your
opposition. Then you uncover the faults they have that you are clear
of. Then you explain what a shame it is that the opposition has this
fault. Lastly, you must choose your own ending. Usually there are two
choices: You could remind the public of the position in the community
this person is running for, and then ask them if this “black-marked”
person is really the candidate they want for the job. Or, you could
then present all of your own strong points that are the opposite of
your opponent’s faults.
This is just the advertising. I suppose we are somewhat subject to
media. However, it is common sense that each person is responsible for
their own actions regardless of their sphere of influence.
Not every aforementioned quote is a blatant slam against politicians.
Some are intended to be the question that hopes to nudge people to help
find the answer. They were not, as solitary questions, intended to be
personal attacks against the local politician. Their purpose in this
article was mainly to get you thinking about the negative comments
thrown about regarding politicians. The first quote, “How long will
Paul Martin’s Liberal minority last?” was one that I did not know the
motivation of. To me, it seemed to be a venue for judgement. ‘Come to
this question to scrutinize your leaders.’ However, I do not know its
purpose. But it did get me thinking about the answers people gave.
Perhaps I am quite naïve and give my pearls to swine once and again.
Maybe I give trust in vain. But in curiosity, I looked at the results.
Out of the ten of us who voted, I was the one-tenth who voted the
answer to be “full term”. Every other voter claimed to believe that it
would fail prematurely. If this doesn’t get you thinking about the
effects of negative comments and thinking, maybe I can push it a little
farther.
Jesus made reference to the connection between thoughts and actions. In
Matthew 5, around chapter 17, He talks of what the NIV captions as “The
Fulfillment of the Law”. The next chapter headings include, “Murder”,
“Adultery”, “Divorce”, “Oaths”, “An Eye for an Eye”, and “Love for
Enemies”. Here, Jesus is dealing with hardened mindsets. For centuries,
Israel had been living according to Jewish Law. Jesus was now showing
them the fulfillment of the law, which was the Living Word. Most of
these items deal with equating the action with the motivating thought
that started the process, which led to the action. So the law kept
Israel from murdering, committing adultery, casual divorce, unnecessary
oaths, violent rampages, and misdirected hatred. The fulfillment of the
law was then to keep Israel from the motivation in their hearts that
led to these things. It seems to me that God is trying to be Lord over
a deeper level of the human being.
In this matter, we come back to politicians. Why would it matter what
we think and say about politicians? Spiritually, if we curse or hate
politicians, we are damaging them as people. Negative thoughts and
words have the ability to eat away at someone to their death. Besides,
we are not expanding their chances at being the politician we always
dreamed they would be for us.
If we are talking apart from spirituality, then practically speaking,
if we want our government leader to be the representative of the
people, how do we expect them to lead without the positive support of
the people?
What can be done? There are two testimonies that come to mind:
The story I will tell you now I observed first-hand. (It reminds me of the “Who Are You a Neighbor To?” parable.)
Peter’s father ceased to be a father to him after the age of six or so.
He was and is great with kids, even though he was an alcoholic, but
when the kids start growing, he doesn’t really know what to do with
them. Peter’s rebellion against his dad (and his alcoholism) did not
solidify the relationship. However, after he became a Christian, Peter
somehow came to the conclusion that it was his dad’s job to change
himself for Peter so that he could have a dad again. Long story made
short: God doesn’t work like that. He first refines the heart of those
close to Him. Pete changed his own attitude and made himself a son to
his hurting father. Their relationship is now restored due to God
humbling Peter. P.S. Peter’s dad is still an alcoholic. But he loves
him for the first time since he was a toddler. Funnier yet, his dad has
always loved him deeply. Hmmm…
Second testimony: I was watching the news one day to discover that the
world was indeed in chaos. I wondered what could be done as I wailed in
tears. I asked the Lord, and I believe His answer to me was, “Spend
time with me.” The result would be that I would be more full of the
Spirit of God, who has all authority and mercy, love, justice, dominion
and power on earth. Just the kind of ammo I need to change the world.
(And if I may, I think it is quite the way to solve all the world’s
problems…spending time with the One who really knows how to love a
person!)
All the scriptures (word of God), God’s only begotten Son and my own
personal testimony point to the way to deal with politicians. Love, and
respect. If only I could get there with all people. If only we could
all get there together.
Love your local politician, for it is just. Even if he or she does not think and act exactly the way you do. AMEN.