Day 8
I watched the political debates and the twitter stream with all the heated 140 character quips, both for and against each candidate. I have known Christians to do full battle with lawn signs, flyers, and infomercials on the dangers of certain laws and liberals, certain that they will ruin the entire world with their sinful practices. I have seen liberals throw their hands up in despair at the backward thinking right wingers with their single-mindedness and fixed focus on certain issues. And in general, I avoid the fray.
There are pitfalls everywhere and while I respect the right to believe and vocalize one’s political ideation, I would caution Christians to think in terms of the Kingdom of God and not just the coming election.
You can win the argument and lose the battle.
Our political systems balance precariously on time and momentum. These systems, having been established by God, will come to an end. As we scour through the history books we read of empires far greater than the infantile Americas that came to ruin and toppled centuries ago, never to be seen again.
These are not eternal. When we arrive in heaven there will be no elections of rule, we will all know who reigns in perfection. And His ruling shall be complete. And yet, we as Christians exert an immense amount of energy on systems which are not eternal.
I homeschool my children. I do this because I feel called by God to do so even when I’m exhausted and the nearest public school is only a few blocks away. Although, in all fairness I have threatened at times to drop them on the steps in exasperation after a long bout of complaints about math or reading or writing or any other subject that seems like it will require an effort. Even when the thoughts of hours to myself and a clean home sound delightful, I know that this is what God has called me to for this season of my life. I know and am obedient even though it can be hard. And I have seen blessings and rewards that have come out of it but it’s not always glorious. I love my children, but even they are simply entrusted to me for as long as the Lord decides. Their souls are eternal but their role in my life isn’t.
I love my husband. I try my best to be the wife God has called me to be. I commit to love him and be faithful to him even when I am irritated, even when I’m bored, even when I get my feelings hurt or we don’t see eye to eye. I do this not because my husband is perfect but because I made a covenant promise and God has helped me to live up to it through grace and His strength. But even Josh won’t always be my husband. When death does part us, when heaven beckons, our relationship will be transformed. I will no longer be his bride but Christ’s as we dwell in heaven. I totally don’t get it but there it is.
The systems, relationship roles, and functions in this life are good. God made and inspired even, but they are temporal.
The only established thing that remains eternal is the church. God chose the church for all eternity. Doesn’t that mean that it should have a priority in my life?
My politics ,belief system, and family certainly do and they are precious and wonderful but they’re not forever.
Alia,
You words are so powerful. Being a Canadian I am somewhat at loos as to the US electoral systme however, that does not negate the inerrant truths in your post… We are but a vapour and the only sure thing is God and His Kingdom. A good reminder when we get worked up about anything, political or otherwise. I so love your perspective.
Tonya
I love you blog and enjoy reading your writing style. I learn a lot from your website and feel you are very insightful. Howeer, I must ask the question based on your most recent post, If Family is not Forever why is there any need for an eternal church? Just curious…
Charis, We believe that Christians are one body in Christ, the universal one and that we are also brothers and sisters in that same way but the literal familial relationships aren’t going to be the same when we get to heaven. We will be the bride of Christ and that is eternal. So in one sense our roles will be different and our purposes for those will look different but they are invested in here for eternity.
Yeah, I often think that politics and the division in the church is one of the most glaring oppositions to unity of the body. I’ve seen in get really ugly and it just makes me sad.