Let's Get Political

I'm overwhelmed with grief today.

Let's get political.

As many of us did, I grew up loving America, the idea of America, the history of America. I memorized the Pledge of Allegiance, read the whole Constitution, and learned about amazing leaders of the past. 

So it makes sense that, like many, I would feel personally threatened by anything that might disrupt what I feel America was founded on. The two biggies are:

1. Government of, by, and for the people
2. Prioritizing the well-being of citizens

Photo by Bermix Studio on Unsplash

Today, many feel that #1 is threatened by a government that desires control over well-being. This is perceived as mandates, recommendations, vaccine development, and data and studies thought to be untrue.

And many feel that #2 is threatened by refugees, undocumented or not. It's feared that our taxes are not helping the country, but outsiders who do not contribute. Perhaps they'll take our jobs. And God forbid they don't speak English!

I will not argue facts against these two things. I totally disagree with the cause for the fear but it's not the heart of the matter.

Because I will argue to the death that fear has no place in God's service.

If you are a believer, this means that:

1. You embrace people in need even if they are undocumented, even if they don't learn English, even if you are afraid they will take your jobs, even if they flee over the border against the law, even if they use up America's resources and leave you with less, even if your taxes are paying their welfare, even if you're afraid they have bad motives, even if you're afraid a terrorist will sneak through.

2. You embrace people in need even if you're afraid that by doing so, you're giving the government power. This means prioritizing people over politics, acting in conviction instead of paranoia, and for heaven's sake don't say "Yes people are dying, but...". Anti-vaccine and anti-mask? Fine, but fear is an inappropriate argument.

The early church experienced government oppression to the point of prison, beatings, and death. The early church experienced loss of resources due to giving their stuff away to people who were both inside and outside the church. Why do we cling to such worldly concepts? We can't take it with us. 

True freedom and true riches are only found in Christ. Live it.