Will America be saved by the next president?
The Church has a problem here in the USA. We are looking to the world and political leaders to be our savior. I see ads and receive large 8 x 10″ postcards in the mail, with colorful pictures proclaiming that a particular candidate will make America great again.
Who is our savior?
Where do we read in the scriptures to look for a savior among men? Which story tells us of how Jesus was involved in politics, teaching to follow and support a particular leader in order to have a peaceful life?
What is our purpose anyway?
I know many followers of Christ who blow a gasket at the idea that we shouldn’t focus on politics. They are so consumed with the workings of this world system that the idea of letting God work inside them, instead of trying to externally change the world, is a radically dangerous idea. What if trusting our King leads to a loss? Loss of political freedom? Loss of rights? Loss of income? Loss of prestige? Loss of stuff?
Most of the losses we would sustain are things we were taught to let go of. Why are we holding on to these things anyway? We have the right and privilege to be ambassadors for the Kingdom. As ambassadors, we have no individual opinions, we simply proclaim the words of our King. While we live in this world system, we are not of it. When we live out the teachings and proclamations of our King, we will influence and impact the society that we live in for the better.
Where did we go wrong?
I try to look back in history to see where we derailed in our purpose. God did use America as a staging area of missions for decades. But the message we have been sending to the nations has changed within the last hundred years. We have become decadent, self-indulgent, covetous, greedy, immoral, and unloving—and we are exporting it.
I used to be caught up in the political ideal myself. I would get angry at people who were on “the other side” of the fence. I would shout back at the TV screen, newspaper, or magazine article and tell ’em what I thought. I loved to proclaim my opinions and logical reasoning about why they were wrong, and I was right.
Then I woke up.
I don’t remember the series of events or enlightenment that led to my epiphany, but at some point, I gradually woke up. Maybe it was my own brokenness that brought me here. But I realized that all of the rights, money, or prestige that this world could offer were completely meaningless. The world doesn’t love me, but Jesus does.
I was looking for love in all of the wrong places.
What are we really looking for?
We seem to all be looking for a king: a benevolent ruler who will take care of us, love us, and make everything right. Isn’t that why we are so invested in who becomes president? If the right man/woman is elected, everything will be right in the world again? Do you really believe there is any human in this world that benevolent or that powerful? (If you do I have something to sell you.)
The funny thing is, our American forefathers fought, sacrificed fortunes, and died, in opposition to that idea. They had a king; they had seen many earthly kings. They knew earthly kings had nothing to offer. They set up a government that required the people to be involved. No, not by voting, shouting political rhetoric, or pledging allegiance to political parties and supporting candidates. Yes, voting is a part of that involvement, but it isn’t the most important activity, as it is espoused these days. Our most important activity is letting the leaders we do have, know where we stand and what is good for our communities.
The problem with putting our hopes on leadership
The most powerful example I have personally witnessed is when Obamacare was being written. Thousands of individuals, not political parties, gathered on the steps of state capitals and Washington. And they protested and spoke about the impact this would have on them. The politicians were scared. They weren’t scared because a bunch of Republicans was sounding off. They weren’t scared because a group of Democrats was protesting. They were scared because there was no target to shoot at; it was undivided unity on one issue—so they created a target.
I knew.
As soon as they started calling for a leader, I knew. It was doomed. A leader is a target. Politicians and wealthy influencers know, if you attack the leader, you destroy the whole movement. The opponents labeled it a tea party and the label stuck. Then someone had the grand idea of making that a political party. It destroyed the influence of the movement. It sent the idea underground. It helped to advance the divisions we have today.
The movement was powerful because it was an idea. An opponent can’t kill an idea, but if you flesh it out with leadership and an organization, it is easily subdued.
Now we stand on the threshold of an election. We have millions of supporters proclaiming that the candidate put forward by their political party will save the country. Really?
No president is going to save America.
We have to unite as individual people, not political opponents or parties, to bring America back in line with her original purpose.
What the Church must do
We, the Church have to repent of our sins: our adulteries, idolatries, covetousness, lack of love, unforgiveness, prejudices, greed, faithlessness, apathy, entitlement, and sense of superiority. We have to get on our knees and seek God’s Kingdom, not our own. Peace is the by-product.
Vote from values and faith—not fear
I have a decision to make soon. I will vote. I believe it is my responsibility to vote in a system that gives that as a privilege and responsibility of citizenship. But who will I vote for? I refuse to vote against someone again. This is my personal conviction. I must look at all of the candidates—and there are more than just two—and vote for the one who both stands on and lives out beliefs and values that most closely align with mine. My vote isn’t about “winning”. I’m not throwing it away if the candidate I choose doesn’t become president.
I throw away my vote when I vote in opposition to someone or their stance, rather than for someone, when I compromise out of fear.
I no longer listen to the alarmists who try to tell me that if I don’t vote for one of the main parties that my vote is worthless. My vote is a personal proclamation of who I am and what I stand for. It isn’t a manipulative instrument to gain a particular political outcome. I will vote For the candidate that most closely espouses my beliefs. I am not alarmed if my candidate doesn’t win. Jesus is still my King, and He will fulfill His purpose regardless of who is in office.
I’m not throwing my vote away when I vote my values, just because my candidate doesn’t win. I throw my vote away when I compromise my values due to fear of the outcome.
I believe that if millions voted this way, rather than worrying about who wins the election, it will have far more impact than if your chosen main-stream political party gets more votes. The candidate that is elected won’t have the safety net they are used to having. They won’t have a target, and they will have to listen to all of the voices. The reason we vote for the main-stream parties is because we are AFRAID. But Jesus said “Fear Not”.
Personal responsibility
It will be my responsibility to inform the leaders that are elected what my values are regarding the issues of the day. I will call or write representatives about the issues being debated. This is our most important voice. To say that voting is our most important right as citizens is like saying the wedding is the most important part of a marriage.
So when you go to the polls in November 2020, or any other election year, I challenge you to vote without fear of the outcome. God can and will direct the leaders with or without you. But whose side do you want to be on?