Weekly blogs from Waypoint

-Lindsay Young
      An interesting thing happens when you start thinking about where your faith and your politics might intersect: you go crazy and start voting third party.
 
 All right, maybe not, but every four years I get political fatigue. And then I start thinking. I blame Derek Webb a little. He went solo and started singing these songs in that twangy wail, calling things into question, and…well, go listen to the songs “Rich Young Ruler.” and “A King and a Kingdom”. You’ll see what I mean.

  One summer Saturday morning, after a hard rain, some friends of mine ventured where no polite person is supposed to go and started talking politics over breakfast. These gals represent the wide political spectrum, and amazingly, nobody lost a limb. I realized quickly that I needed to do some research. Later, after a more-than-heated discussion with my husband, we called a truce and started reading the various parties’ platforms. I realized almost as quickly that I’m not naturally introspective, analytical or patient. I also could not get away from the question of how personal faith informs personal politics. So, here for your consideration (and my own) is a quick list of things I’ve been considering since the last presidential election:

1. “For My thoughts are not your thoughts; neither are your ways My ways.” (Is. 55:8) I think about the Israelites begging God for a king (!) so that they could be like the other nations of the world. I think about how the only perfect form of government is theocracy, and how we won’t see that here on earth until Jesus comes again. I think about government’s role in legislating morality and personal liberty, and where that line might be drawn. I think about the ‘upside-down kingdom’ – and how the Jews thought Jesus would be a literal king and defeat Roman rule – but His Kingdom was of a different kind. Talk about a maverick.

2. I watched a miniseries on the life of John Adams. I reflected on the passion our founding fathers had for their country to be free from tyranny, and for the ideal of liberty. I wonder what these men would think about our country’s state of affairs today. I wonder what God thinks about that, too.

3. “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” (Ghandi) I’ve been considering the endgame of pacifism, and how/if it relates to the “turn the other cheek” principle. How far does this play out? Did Jesus intend for individuals only to turn the other cheek? Or should nations, too? How should the Christ-follower feel about war? Is it really a ‘necessary evil’? What about civil disobedience?

  Michael and I recently registered to vote in Nebraska (after living in Des Moines for the past three years). We checked the “nonpartisan” box. Where faith and politics intersect, where we feel we can vote our conscience, where our vision for government most aligns with our values, for us, is the Libertarian party - which, if you read the platform, you quickly see that somebody has to pick up the slack. We feel that this is the role of the body of Christ – to care for the poor, the widows and orphans, the disadvantaged – to BE the change. Be the hope – not just hoping that somebody will do the work instead. (Col. 1:27) NOW - in our lifetimes. In our communities. To our neighbors. Rub shoulders. Bump elbows. Get our hands dirty. Love. Love. Love. (I John 4:7-21) Give our lives away.

  I know this is going to be neither easy nor quick. I’m selfish at times. This will be a lifetime endeavor. I’m not good at endurance. It’ll be the hardest thing we’ve ever done. And we may not ever see ‘results’. I hate not seeing results. I like payoff. I like progress. The flipside to this, however, is doing nothing, which Edmund Burke said is the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil. The stakes are too high to allow that. So we dig our heels in and BEGIN. (Matt. 11:12, 28:19-20)

  Please know, readers, that I’m not intending to draw you away from your current party affiliation. I’m a reluctant political. I love having friends who are staunch Democrats, friends who are committed Republicans and some friends who are dissatisfied with the entire political process.
 
  I know no political party is perfect, or has the perfect solution to every problem our nation (or world) faces. However, if any of these questions make you a little restless, do check out your current party’s platform. Check out the platforms of parties you’d never dare affiliate with (gasp!). Know your candidates. Ask the tough questions of yourself. Engage. Introspect. Wrestle. Be okay with the complex shades of grey sometimes. And disagreeing. You might be surprised. I was.

“May God bless us with discomfort at easy answers, halftruths, and superficial relationships, so that we may live deep within our hearts. May God bless us with anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that we may work for justice, freedom and peace. May God bless us with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation and war, so that we may reach out our hands to comfort them and turn their pain into joy. And may God bless us with enough foolishness to believe that we can make a difference in this world, so that we can do what others claim cannot be done." (Franciscan Benediction)