Sunday Sermonizing: Political Pendulum Swings
It happened again this week.
But it happens every week in America now.
Another mine explodes in the political landscape that further polarizes people.
“There are two kinds of people in this world. Those radically for us and those vehemently against us.”
That’s pretty much America right now.
Don’t be deceived. This pendulum swinging has been going on for a while now in American politics. One side gets power. Power corrupts. People get tired of it. The other side gets power. Power corrupts. People get tired of it. The first side gains power again, but this time places anchors to hold onto power (usually in the form of legislation and executive orders and propaganda).
Time for a swing again.
And there’s still corruption.
There’s always corruption.
So the pendulum swings more wildly. Sides are more distinctly divided.
Today, as I heard yet more racist and divisive rhetoric from the Twitter feed of presumably the most powerful man on earth, I was disheartened.
Disheartened because there will be people I care about who will defend him and his comments. Disheartened because the power play of this particular pendulum swing has become an industrial-strength dividing force in this country. Disheartened because I don’t see an end to it.
Mostly disheartened because of the people hurt by what amounts to be rhetorical nonsense in the name of political power.
People whose lives are damaged, ruined, or taken because politicians and their pundants hold fast to positions over people.
I won’t mince words politically here. There is not a single Republican who I would vote for right now. Not one. I see an entire political party drunk on power, using every available tactic to hold onto that power.It makes me sick, sad, and angry.
On the other hand, there are only a small number of people from any other party who I would vote for — and none of them are electable.
As destructive and deadly as human power can be, it will never last. Don’t put your hope there.
People of faith who are putting their faith there are putting their faith in the wrong thing. Jesus did not give America or the Republican Party or the people who rule our country any special blessing.
Here is what will not swing. What must not swing. What every person who is a Jesus follower should seek to live their lives by, no matter who the president is (or is not).
- Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
- Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
- Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
- Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
- Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
- Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
- Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.
- Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
That’s politics in the Kingdom of God. Lay down your power for the benefit of people who are on the fringes, the disenfranchised, and the vulnerable
The people currently in power in America are doing the opposite.
That's what needs to stop.