by: Bruce Nevin Haines
Therefore, if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
(Philippians 2: 1-4 NIV)
As this country moves closer to the time of election, we may be experiencing a wide range of emotions regarding the outcome. How will those leading our country, and our local areas address the social, political, and economic issues that we are most concerned with? Are we flooded with anxiety and cynicism? And regardless of the election results themselves, how will our culture successfully navigate a path forward with the opposing views that our citizens presently adhere to? We have all seen examples of blind loyalty on both sides of the political aisle. There is arrogance and posturing that feels cold and disingenuous. How do I respond to this polarized and often hostile environment?
As a Christian my loyalties start with my commitment to living a Christlike life. But was Jesus a political figure, or strictly a spiritual example to follow? I do believe that taking care of the poor and needy and giving the disenfranchised a voice was part of the work that Jesus did while he walked this earth. And there is a case to be made that (some) political agendas make efforts to perform this same work. We may wish that spiritual and political views have no overlap. Or that they are intentionally separate worlds that should not mix. I’d like to suggest that keeping spiritual and political ideologies entirely separate as an individual is not achievable. Similarly, I believe that our society faces the same challenge. So, it is no surprise that things get heated quickly in our society during election time. What does it then mean to be Christlike in this environment?
I’d like to suggest that each election is an opportunity to be Christlike in our society. To show grace, wisdom, and compassion in our dialogue with those we disagree with. You may feel weary of our polarized political culture. I am as well. Here is a song that I wrote that attempts to capture the sadness I felt when viewing our hostile society, and how we are missing an opportunity to show compassion and understanding when it is so desperately needed.
hisshadowings.com 