Hi everyone,
So, it’s almost that time of year…
I’m not talking about Christmas, that’s much too far away. I’m not talking about Black Friday either, as that is closer, but still too far. And I’m not even talking about Thanksgiving, which is literally today. But I’m talking about election time, both here in BC Canada and in the US.
While I’m not American nor ever have been, it’s hard not to be a bit invested in their politics, as they reflect ours (or maybe it’s the other way around) quite a bit. And you must be aware of how politics in general have become so very divisive in the past almost decade.
And it doesn’t happen often, but people sometimes ask me, as a pastor, how we should vote. Sometimes people feel that a person who studies theology might have different insights on these political matters. Sometimes people think that all Christians should vote only for a particular party or political slant, or else they aren’t real Christians.
Honestly though, I don’t think anyone should stick to just one party or slant all the time. The world changes, and so do issues that the government should address. And as the parties change, so do the leaders that they bring out. There is never going to be one final answer every time.
So for me? I usually vote for the attitude of the leader over their political stance or promises. I look to see if they are humble, if they truly want to use their platform to do good for the world, and if they really are out to serve. But more often than not, I see politicians who are power hungry, want to use their platform to elevate themselves, and just want to be served. And honestly, that makes it really hard to vote because those attitudes really aren’t good for anyone (except maybe for that particular politician themselves).
I mean, they’re called public servants for a reason. Not because I want them to serve me, but I think it’s important that they have a servant mindset in order for things to move forward in a way that is for the greater good.
And I guess that my official stance (as a pastor who studies theology).
Here are the readings for next week:
Isaiah 53:4-12
Psalm 91:9-16
Hebrews 5:1-10
Mark 10:35-45
Politics is always sort of a touchy subject, because as I mentioned, it can be quite divisive. But I don’t think the subject of power-mongering versus humility has to be. And honestly, they go hand in hand.
This isn’t a new thing either, as we can see in the readings for next week, the quest for power or at least the fascination with it has been around for the millennia since our scriptures have been written.
The thing is, most often people equate “power” with authority and respect. Like having power elevates people to higher plains of existence, and so it is sought after in the ways that the world teaches us.
So we get people not understanding what it means to be the Messiah, we get James and John asking to be levelled up to be just under Jesus, and we get politicians these days intentionally manipulating and misleading the voters so they could get what they want.
But Jesus reveals yet again that power isn’t in lording it over others, but it’s in humility and service. There is power in seeing and meeting the needs of others. There is power in love.
We are given this love freely by God. We are taught this love by Jesus. And we are empowered to give this love to our neighbours and community by the Spirit.
I mean, Jesus is called the Servant King, after all. His power is revealed in all that he does for us and the world throughout all of history for the sake of our salvation and the good news that he brings.
Thanks be to God! Have a great week, everyone!
Photo by Phil Scroggs on Unsplash