Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Election Day Thoughts

Scripture Verse that caught my attention today: Mark 12:17 Jesus said to them, “Give to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they were utterly amazed at him.

Observation: Very subtle reminder of an incredible truth.

Application: It’s election day in at least one of the earth’s almost 200 different countries (according to internet sources, the actual number of countries currently on earth is a source of debate). Some have been longing for this day because they are anticipating/hoping for some sweeping changes in leadership. Some have been dreading this day because they are anticipating/dreading some sweeping changes in leadership. And some have been longing for this day to be over simply so that they don’t have to suffer though any more campaign phone calls and letters and other campaign-related advertising.

Yes, both the people (including regular folks but also pundits and talk-show hosts and the like) and those purportedly elected to serve/represent the people, are often in a rage about this or that. Leadership and/or governance philosophies collide like cars at a county fair demolition derby—a helter-skelter extravaganza that, when it’s all said and done, leaves everyone so beat up that it’s hard to see how anyone can be declared a ‘winner.’ And yet, those who are still able to move about still have the nerve to boldly proclaim that they’ve won.

Won what, exactly? In the words of Jesus, “the things that are the emperor’s.”

Politics has always been a tricky business. At its best it is a form of genuine public service, a partnership between faithful intentions and accountability, indeed a noble calling and opportunity to serve our neighbor. At its worst it is a never-ending struggle primarily to establish and maintain power and influence (both as individuals and as parties), regardless of the cost.

Sometimes I get weary of it all. Campaign promises are really nothing more than foolishness. I mean, do we really want to elect people who think it advisable to say how they will vote on something before they even know the particulars and context of what that ‘something’ is? I would prefer to simply have people who, more often than not, demonstrate their wise judgment by expressing their thoughts after hearing the entire proposal (and in light of the overall context), not before.

In a fallen world decisions are seldom as clear-cut as we might like them to be. Often we are forced to determine the best of two or more less-than-ideal options. We have to do it in our private lives almost every day. Why should we expect it to be any different in public service?

But I digress. Let us allow the wisdom of Jesus, the most effective public servant of all time, to bring us full circle. In those days there were some who wanted him to answer the survey questions that they would soon publish in their metaphorical religious leader voting guides (‘voter guides,’ by the way, are almost always a euphemism for “if you want to vote the way we think you should!”). “Jesus, how would you vote in regard to paying taxes?”

“Give to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s” he said.

I wonder if there’s still something we can learn as we consider his response.

Prayer: Lord, it’s all yours--the way we serve, the way we live, and what we temporarily have. Whether we hoard it or share it, use it or abuse it, it’s still all yours. Help us to remember that, for we are all have some opportunity to be in public service, whether elected or not. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

(Scripture Readings today included: Job 23-24 and Mark 11-12)

No comments:

Post a Comment