Recently, people have asked me about my political concerns. I have gotten to the place where I really try not to bring it up, because Christians don't like talking about it, with the exception of my dear mother (and Mardy G.). Generally the response to the political landscape we find ourselves has been several different reactions; "let's not talk about it, it's so depressing, I don't listen to the news anymore, what will be will be, if I wake up in a year from now my knowledge of things would not have changed a thing, or I can't sleep at night for worry about our country (that was Mom by the way), or give the man Obama a break. I truly have heard all of the above. I would like to offer another alternative. Kurt Herbert Alder said, "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." If you keep your head in the sand you can't very well do "something" about evil. You have to know your enemy in order to defeat them. You have to know that Satan is behind evil, and that he is a defeated foe!!! You have to know what is going on in order to debate folks. The reason why we are in such a pickle now, is that Christians would love to stay ignorant, in their own little cocoons saying, "you are crazy you just think the sky is falling."
Some of my "obsession" comes from my own personal interest base when I was a child. From my earliest memories, politics played a role. I remember my mother, father and cousins sitting around playing cards when I was five or six talking about Barry Goldwater, who ran for President against Johnson in 1964. My parents were staunch Republicans. I also remember my families disdain for LBJ (I grew up in Texas). When I was nine or ten I plastered my shower walls with Bush stickers, who was running for senate from the great state of Texas. To this day I can't believe my mother let me get away with that one. Suffice it to say, I am a student of the history of, and the philosophy of politics. When I offer an alternative, I want to offer what I perceive as a Biblical one. Scripture has commanded us to pray for our leaders. We have to at least know who they are before we can pray intelligently.
James 1 says, " 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6 But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does."
Ask God if the reason you do not want knowledge of what's going on is because you have an unbiblical view of trials. Ask Him what parts of your heart are ruled by fear, not the peace of Christ.
Take a good look at history. The USA has been a very, very small blip on the radar screen. Freedom and prosperity have been a very small window of opportunity that may or may not last forever. Go back and read the many lives of the saints that flourished under oppression. That would be most of history. Learn of them, and how Christ took care of them through it all, and how Christianity flourished. Yes, some of them lost their lives or worse, but we as believers are to be dead to this world. If we truly are dead men walking, then nothing can harm us (I say that literally with fear and trembling, because I know my heart is deceitfully wicked, and it will be tested). Read Habakkuk, "God is up to something." I won't take the time to write down the book for you, but it is a wonderful look at a man who was angry, depressed, and wondering where justice was! Find contentment in Habakkuk's words, "though the fig tree should not blossom, though there be no fruit on the vines...yet will I rejoice in the Lord."
Now for those who become obsessed and then become possessed by worry (I do fall into that category on occasion), repent. Ask God to forgive your worrisome ways. His is bigger, than all the governments combined, and He is the one that moves the heart of the King, all for our good and His glory. Also, know your limits. I have come to learn when I cross over from the seeking servant to the possessed worrier. Then I repent of my lack of trust, my lack of being saturated in His Word, and also being an absolute believer of that Word. Then I once again can learn in a whole new way what is going on. Miracles happen when you truly repent of sin, and the roots of sin. Habakkuk was the watchman of the city. God had to show Him what parts of his heart were filled with fear, anger, and self-righteousness. Then, he was able to learn contentment in the plans of God. If we "do" or "learn" nothing, because of fear of the future or of our kids, it will cloud every (not just the political parts) of our hearts, but other things as well.
Enough for today-tomorrow the case for why we should keep up with our times.........Lynn
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